Ajay Kumar Reddy from Andhra Pradesh will lead the Indian team that will participate in the second edition of the T-20 World Cup for the Blind, which will be hosted in Indian starting from January 28 to February 12, 2017.
Indian captain Ajay Kumar Reddy (centre) from Andhra Pradesh along with four other team members during a press conference to announce the India team that will participate in the second edition of the T-20 World Cup for the Blind
This announcement was made during a press conference by Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) president Mahantesh GK, who also mentioned that Prakasha Jayaramaiah from Karnataka would be the vice-captain.
“The Indian team was selected after monitoring the performances of the players during several domestic tournaments and it was quite a tough task selecting the 17-member team, which comprise of players from 10 states in the country. We have also selected 9 players as reserves,” Mahantesh mentioned.
On the occasion the CABI also announced their association with IndusInd Bank for the support of the Indian team. IndusInd Bank launched the ‘World Champions Programme – Cricket for the Blind’. The programme in partnership with CABI – Sports Initiative of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, to aid the Indian Blind Cricket Team in their quest for sporting glory.
Under the World Champions Programme – Cricket for the Blind, the IndusInd Bank will be supporting the Indian Blind Cricket Team, comprising 26 players that will be representing India at international tournament and domestic competitions. The programme would also ensure to organize year-long cricketing events in association with CABI.
IndusInd Bank would also provide players with all support and infrastructure required to participate at the highest level. In addition the bank will also provide logistic assistance to the players as they travel across the country, to share their success stories and encourage other visually-impaired youngsters to take up the sport.
The Indian captain Reddy told media persons that the Indian team is well balanced side and that they are confident of defending their title. “The team selected is a good balanced team. We will start preparations for the tournament from January 5 during a camp in Indore and I confident all the players will give more than 100 per cent and ensure we defend our title.”
Mahantesh also mentioned that the Board of Cricket for Control in India has assured CABI that they will support the World Cup.
Mahantesh also announced that the winners will get Rs 2O lakhs and the runners up will get Rs 15 lakhs.
The Indian Team: Ajay Kumar Reddy (Captain – Andhra Pradesh), Prakasha Jayaramaiah (Vice-Captain – Karnataka), Deepak Malik, Rambir Singh (both Haryana), Sukhram Majhi, Md Jafar Iqbal (both Odisha), T. Durga Rao, D Venkateswara Rao, Prem Kumar G. (all Andhra Pradesh), Sunil R (Karnataka), Ganeshbhai Muhundkar, Ketanbhai Patel (both Gujarat), Md Faisal (Uttar Pradesh), Md Farhan (Kerala), Sonu Golkar (Madhya Pradesh), Golu Kunar (Jharkhand), Anish Beg (Maharashtra).