Bengaluru: The NTT DATA Women’s T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2025 delivered another action-packed day of cricket on Tuesday, as India Yellow and India Orange registered impressive victories despite rain interruptions. The tournament, organised by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) in collaboration with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and supported by NTT DATA under its CSR initiative, aims to shortlist 16 top players for the first-ever Women’s T20 Blind World Cup in November 2025. The global event will be staged across New Delhi, Kathmandu and Bengaluru.
India Yellow edge past India Blue in a close contest
In the first clash of the day, India Yellow put up a strong batting display, posting 141/5. The innings was anchored by Shivani’s sparkling 56 off 35 balls, which laid the foundation for a competitive total.
Chasing 142, India Blue looked determined, with Saloni (38) and Annu Sharma (38) stitching together a fighting stand. However, disciplined bowling from India Yellow restricted the chase, leaving India Blue 11 runs short. Shivani’s all-round performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
India Orange dismantle India Red with commanding 10-wicket win
The second match saw a completely one-sided performance as India Orange outplayed India Red. Bowling first, Orange restricted Red to 112/7, never allowing the batters to settle.
In reply, Basanti Hansda (59) and Muskan Gochar (35)* forged a match-winning partnership, chasing down the target without losing a wicket. The emphatic 10-wicket victory showcased Orange’s dominance, with Basanti Hansda being named Player of the Match.
Tournament outlook and what’s next
With these results, the competition is heating up as teams battle for a spot in the finals. On Day 3, India Red will face India Yellow, while India Blue take on India Orange. The top two teams from the league stage will secure a place in the finals scheduled for September 4 in Bengaluru.
Beyond cricket: building future leaders
The initiative extends far beyond the boundaries of the cricket field. Alongside sporting excellence, players are being provided with life skills training, digital literacy workshops, financial literacy sessions, stipends, and higher education support. The holistic approach aims to empower visually impaired women cricketers, nurturing them into future leaders on and off the field.
This multi-dimensional effort underlines the mission of CABI and Samarthanam Trust, with NTT DATA’s continued support playing a pivotal role in creating equal opportunities for women with disabilities in sports.