The BCCI has set out what it calls “structured support” for the men’s and women’s squads run by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI). In brisk terms, the board will pick up the bill for two overseas events a year, cover hotels during home-based bilateral series, and open the doors of BCCI-affiliated grounds for both domestic and international fixtures.
Both teams already know their way around a winner’s podium. The men have collected several world titles, while the women lifted the first Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind in 2025. The new plan, then, is less a rescue act and more a scaling-up exercise.
“The achievements of India’s visually impaired cricketers are a source of immense pride for the cricketing fraternity,” BCCI president Mithun Manhas said. “Through this support framework, the BCCI aims to strengthen opportunities, infrastructure and exposure for these athletes.”
A moment later he underlined a broader theme. “Inclusive growth remains central to our vision for the game. We hope this support will further empower the teams to pursue excellence with confidence and inspire many more to take up the sport. The BCCI remains committed to playing its part in ensuring that cricket continues to be a game for all.”
In practical terms, the promise of regular international travel should sharpen on-field standards, while guaranteed access to first-class venues ought to improve practice conditions. CABI officials, who have long juggled logistics on threadbare budgets, are cautiously upbeat. As one put it, off-record, the backing “gets us from day-to-day firefighting to actual planning”.
The BCCI says it “looks forward” to working with CABI and will review the scheme annually. For now, India’s visually impaired players have clearer lines of support—and a reminder that their achievements are sitting firmly on the main cricketing map.
