Photos Caption: Indian Blind Cricket Team practice in full swing at Delhi Tamil Association ground for the upcoming T20 World Cup Cricket for BlindConfident of defending the T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind title- Coach Patrick Raj Kumar New Delhi, January 23: “We are confident of defending the T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind title,” said a confident Indian Cricket Team Coach, Patrick Raj Kumar. Practicing at Delhi Tamil Education Association Ground, Lodhi Estate (DTEA) he added that the confidence stems from the fact that we had a long and fruitful practice session which began in Indore on January 4, and ended January 17. The camp is now continuing in Delhi and will go on till January 25, 2017. The T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind will kick start in New Delhi on January 29, 2017with the inauguration ceremony and league matches will begin on January 31, 2017 at New Delhi. The tournament will be concluded in Bangalore on February 12, 2017.
10 Nations including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, England, Australia, West Indies, Bangladesh, South Africa and debutants New Zealand will be participating. The Tournament is being organized by Cricket Association for Blind in India (CABI), the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust for the disabled.
Patrick Raj Kumar added, “With no major injuries and all senior players in supreme form and with couple of talented new faces, we have a very good team. One of the world’s fastest bowlers Deepak Malik and Captain Ajay Reddy are adding to the excitement. All 17 players are in good shape and physically fit to deliver good performance. Although we do not underestimate any team, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England are the teams which pose tough challenge. New Zealand is debutant and not many know what surprise they have in store. But overall we are happy with the practice and are confident of defending the title.”
Captain Ajay Reddy said, “We have worked on all aspects of the game. We have practiced on bouncy, swinging as well as flat pitches. However we do not want to take any team too lightly as each day is different. We will concentrate on one opponent at a time and aim for victory every single match.”
Mahantesh GK, President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), said, “We are glad to host the T20 World Cup Cricket. We are very excited about the upcoming international tournament. I wish each and every team and participants the very best. Hope everyone puts in their complete efforts and may the best team win.”
The matches for 2nd T20 World Cup for the Blind in India will be held at Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Pune, Kochi, Faridabad, Bhubaneshwar with semifinals in Bangalore and Hyderabad and Finals in Bangalore.