Indian world champion captain Ajay Kumar Reddy on Monday called on the BCCI to support blind cricket, saying it will go a long way in bringing professionalism and a much-needed financial boost to their game.
The Indian blind team recently won the T20 World Cup for the third straight year by beating Bangladesh at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. But despite the achievements, 10 players from the 17-man squad are unemployed and a lack of financial support means many are finding it ‘difficult to pursue the sport’ as they are ‘busy’ earning a living.
“We won the World Championship for the third year in a row, but we don’t have a title sponsor,” said Reddy, who scored a century in the finals.
“It’s very difficult to play cricket when we know we have a bigger responsibility to earn a living so we can support our families,” Reddy said on the sidelines of a congratulatory ceremony organized by Union Sport Minister Anurag Thakur.
In April last year, the BCCI recognized the Differently-abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) to promote the sport among the physically challenged, deaf, blind and wheelchair users. However, according to G Mahantesh, President of the Cricket Association of the Blind in India, not much has changed in terms of support for the blind cricketers.
“BCCI has shown us sympathy throughout and provided us with infrastructure and training facilities, but to achieve greater professionalism we also need their financial support,” Mahantesh said.
Reddy, who has led the team to two T20 blind World Cup trophies – in 2017 and 2022 – is unhappy with the excessive delay in creating a roadmap.
“The (BCCI) recognition has come but there is no road map for our sport, no one knows what is happening. We have also brought glory to the country on the cricket field and deserve to receive the central contract from (BCCI),” Reddy added.
So said Sunil Ramesh, who scored a centuries-old hat-trick during the World Cup (against Nepal, South Africa and Bangladesh) and was named Player of the Tournament and Player of the Match in the final Under pressure to make a living, BCCI support will go a long way towards securing their lives.
“We have no financial support, no jobs and no security. That’s why we only gather ahead of the World Cup or a bilateral or triangular series that’s far and wide. If the Indian board wants it, we too can play professionally,” said the 24-year-old all-rounder from Chikmanglur.
Asked what he would say to the Indian team, who have gone down in 50-over format without a World Cup since winning the title Mahendra Singh Dhoni In 2011, Reddy said that visualization can work wonders for him and his team.
“I would say every player should visualize a bit before bed. It helped us iron out a lot of our technical shortcomings and I’m sure Indian players will benefit from that too.
“The fact that they are in the Indian team means they are very good, but corrections (in technique) are a must and visualizing one’s dismissal or a bad ball or bad field play helps correct mistakes ‘ said Reddy.
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