New Delhi: Ajay Kumar Reddy slammed 96 runs in 31 balls as the Indian men’s blind cricket team thrashed Sri Lanka by 132 runs in the first T20 of the Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket, an International bilateral blind men’s cricket series here on Monday in Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi.
A combined batting effort led by Ajay Kumar Reddy helped India post 277/5 in the allotted 20 overs. Chasing a mammoth total, Sri Lanka faltered early in the chase and were restricted to 145/6.
With this win, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series for the blind. Ajay Kumar Reddy was named as the player of the match for his sensational knock on Monday.
The bilateral blind men’s cricket series began on Monday with an inauguration ceremony graced by dignitaries including UN Resident Coordinator for India, Shombi Sharp (Chief Guest), Commodore R Joseph, Minister Counsellor (Defence), High Commission of Sri Lanka in India
Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, the Chairman CABI & Founder Managing Trustee Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, SSubu Kota – Former President , Samarthanam USA, Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary, CABI were also present.
Organized by the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) in collaboration with the ‘Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled’ and the ‘Cricket Association for the Blind in India’ (CABI), the series aims not only to showcase the incredible talent of visually impaired cricketers but also to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for people with disabilities.
Coming to the match, India got off to a decent start after losing the toss. The side lost two wickets inside powerplay but the kept the momentum going. The Men In Blue the reached the 100-run mark in the ninth over but lost three wickets.
Ajay Kumar Reddy came into bat and started firing right from the word go. Ajay slammed 48 runs in 12 balls, unleashing an array of shots. Along with Magunta Sai, Ajay Reddy stitched 106-run partnership. India posted 277 in the allotted 20 overs as Ajay slammed 96 runs in 31 balls. Ajay was adjudged the player of the match.
Chasing 278, Sri Lanka suffered an early blow in the first over. The visitors started off slowly and weren’t able to catch up. Falling of wickets added insult to injury as the required rate kept increasing. Sri Lanka were eventually restricted to 145/6 in 20 overs.
India and Sri Lanka will now meet on Tuesday in the second T20 of the Samarth Championship for Blind Cricket, an International bilateral blind men’s cricket series. The match will begin at 9:30 am in Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi.
About Samarth Initiative:
Launched in Nov’2023, ‘Samarth’ initiative aims to enable an inclusive, progressive world through the power of mobility. Through this initiative, Hyundai aims to help create a more aware and sensitized society towards people with disabilities in India. With the launch of ‘Samarth’, Hyundai Motor India is India’s first automobile company to launch an inclusive mobility project at a mass scale.
With a comprehensive effort to ensure that the digital presence is accessible to all, Hyundai under this initiative is ensuring that its website is user-friendly for people with disabilities. The Company has also pledged to make the physical business locations accessible and accommodating to people with disabilities. Additionally, Hyundai is developing and introducing Swivel Seats and accessories with MOBIS in an attempt to enhance the differently abled friendliness of the cars.
HMIF Partnership with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled:
Under the ‘Samarth by Hyundai’ initiative, Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) (the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Limited) partnered with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled to support the differently abled individuals with assistive devices. Under the partnership, HMIF & Samarthanam will create a program which will utilize blind cricket as a platform in pursuit of physical & social development of the visually impaired in India. Through this partnership HMIF will support visually impaired cricketers by organizing various training camps for grass root and national level visually impaired cricketers. The program will also organize International Bilateral series for the National Blind Cricket Team giving them bigger platforms to showcase their talent.
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