India's first mixed disability men's cricket team has left for England on its first international tour. This team will play the Mixed Disability International T20 Series in England from 21 June to 3 July 2025.
Before leaving for the international tour, a ceremony was organized for the team in Delhi. This ceremony was organized by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and 'Swayam' organization.The special thing about this tour is that for the first time India's mixed disability cricket team will get a chance to play at England's famous Lord's Cricket Ground. In this series, the Indian team will play a total of seven T20 matches against England.
The 18-member team is captained by Mumbai resident Ravindra Gopinath Sante, who has been playing cricket for the last 12 years.
Under captain Ravindra Gopinath Sante, the team will tour England to play in a seven-match series. The highlight of the tour is a game at the legendary Lord's - a first for India's men's mixed disability cricket team, with another match on July 1 in Bristol.
Such a team has been formed for the first time in India
Ravindra Gopinath Sante said, "I am happy to go to England and there are challenges to come. For the first time a mixed disability team has been formed in India. England's mixed disability team has been playing since long. But such a team has been formed for the first time in India."
He further said, "There are three types of disabilities in this. One is intellectual disability, second is physical and third is deaf and dumb. There is a big challenge during this because deaf and dumb players cannot hear. We had the challenge of understanding their sign language. But when the camp was held in Jaipur, in eight days they taught us sign language for things like running between the wickets, fielding positions, so that there is no problem in the match. That camp was beneficial."
Wicketkeeper Umar Ashraf, who is unable to speak, is from Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir. He told that his love for cricket started from watching matches on TV in childhood.Wicketkeeper Umar Ashraf
Explaining his point in sign language, Umar said, "Till now no player from Jammu and Kashmir had been selected. I feel very good that I am the first player to be selected from here. I have 15 years of experience of playing cricket and I want to continue it in future as well."
Vikas Ganeshkumar, who belongs to Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is intellectually disabled. Vikas said, "I have been playing cricket since the age of 11. I am going to play for the country for the first time and I am very excited."
Schedule
June 21: First T20 International (Taunton)
June 23: Second T20 International (Wormsley)
June 25: Third T20 International (Lord's)
June 27: Fourth T20 International (Worcester)
June 29: Fifth T20 International (Worcester)
July 1: Sixth T20 International (Bristol)
July 3: Seventh T20 International (Bristol)