New Delhi, 12 November 2026: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust with the support of CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd., hosted a send-off and press interaction in new Delhi for the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind ahead of the Asia Cup 2026.The Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind is all set to compete in the Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind 2026, scheduled from 15 to 20 November 2026 at Anvir Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Indian team will aim to reclaim the Asia Cup title it won a decade ago, competing against some of Asia’s leading blind cricket teams.
CBRE, through its corporate social responsibility initiative, Ek Pehal, in partnership with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, has been supporting the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind in its preparations for the Asia cup tournament. CBRE’s support includes player selection, professional coaching, nutrition, fitness, physiotherapy, travel arrangements and essential cricket equipment, helping players prepare for the competition.
The event brought together the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind, Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder and Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, and Chairman, CABI, Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia & MENA, CBRE and Chetan Sharma Former Indian Cricketer and Sr. Selection Committee, BCCI and Shailender Yadav, General Secretary CABI. The occasion marked the team’s departure for Dhaka as defending champions, returning to compete for the Asia Cup title a decade after their last victory. Anshuman Magazine and Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar handed over cricket kits to the team, recognising the players’ commitment ahead of the tournament.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also extended its support to the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind by sponsoring round-trip flight tickets from New Delhi to Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind 2026. This support is in line with BCCI’s earlier commitment to assist the team with its international travel arrangements.
At the event, Anshuman Magazine spoke about CBRE’s continued partnership with Samarthanam and CABI, while Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar addressed the team’s preparations and the growth of blind cricket in India. Captain Durga Rao Tompaki shared insights into the team’s training, readiness and expectations for the tournament.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia & MENA, CBRE, said, “Sport has the power to create opportunities, challenge perceptions and bring communities together. Through Ek Pehal and our partnership with Samarthanam and CABI, CBRE is committed to supporting India’s men’s and women’s blind cricket teams at every stage of their preparation. Our support covers player selection, nutrition, travel, professional training, health and physiotherapy and essential kits. We believe that giving athletes the right resources and support is essential to helping them perform at the highest level and earn the recognition they deserve. We are proud to back the team as they head to the Asia Cup 2026.”
Dr. Mahantesh G.Kivadasannavar, Founder and Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, and Chairman, CABI, said, “Our endeavour has always been to ensure that talent gets the right opportunities, professional training and recognition for the Men’s Blind Cricket team. We are grateful to CBRE for coming forward as a committed partner through its CBRE Ek Pehal initiative and supporting the Indian Men’s Blind Cricket Team in its preparations for the Asia Cup. This support goes beyond the tournament; it strengthens the ecosystem for blind cricket through coaching, fitness, equipment and competitive exposure. I wish our team the very best as they prepare to represent India with pride and bring home another memorable victory”.
Devajit Saikia, BCCI Honorary Secretary, said, “We extend our very best wishes to the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind as they prepare to defend their Asia Cup title in Dhaka. The team has consistently demonstrated tremendous skill, determination and competitive spirit, and we hope the players carry that confidence into the tournament and make the country proud once again.
The BCCI is pleased to support the team’s campaign by facilitating their round-trip air travel for the Asia Cup. We believe that cricket should provide opportunities for everyone to participate and excel, and the Board remains committed to encouraging cricketers across all abilities and supporting their aspirations to represent India. We wish the entire contingent a successful tournament.”
Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind – Asia Cup 2026 Squad
| Sl No | Name of the Player | Sight Category | State |
| 1 | Naresh Tumda | B1 | Gujarat |
| 2 | Sanjay Kumar Shah | B1 | Delhi |
| 3 | Debaraj Behera | B1 | Odisha |
| 4 | Ashok Reddy | B1 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 5 | Praveen Kumar Sharma | B1 | Haryana |
| 6 | Mukesh Kumar Rawat | B1 | Delhi |
| 7 | Dunna Venkateshwararao | B2 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 8 | Rambir Singh | B2 | Delhi |
| 9 | Lokesha | B2 | Karnataka |
| 10 | Manish Kumar | B2 | Delhi |
| 11 | Nakula Badanayak | B2 | Odisha |
| 12 | Durga Rao Tompaki (C ) | B3 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 13 | Sunil Ramesh ( VC ) | B3 | Karnataka |
| 14 | Sukhram Majhi | B3 | Odisha |
| 15 | A Ravi ( WK ) | B3 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 16 | Dinesh Rathva | B3 | Gujarat |
| 17 | Deepak | B3 | Haryana |
Tournament Schedule
Venue: Anvir Cricket Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
| 15 November | India vs Sri Lanka | 1:30 PM |
| 17 November | India vs Pakistan | 1:30 PM |
| 19 November | Bangladesh vs India | 9:30 AM |
| 20 November | Final | 11:30 AM |
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. The company has more than 155,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves clients through four business segments: Advisory (leasing, sales, debt origination, mortgage servicing, valuations); Building Operations and Experience (facilities management, property management, flex space and experience); Project Management (programme management, project management, cost consulting); and Real Estate Investments (investment management, development). Please visit www.cbre.com.
CBRE was the first international property consultancy to open an office in India, in 1994. Since then, the business has grown to more than 13,000 professionals across 17 offices, with a presence in more than 100 cities. In 2025, CBRE was named one of India’s Best Employers by TIME and Statista. In 2026, CBRE received the Leading IPC of the Year award at the ETNow.in Realty Conclave and Awards. CBRE provides clients with a broad range of real estate solutions, including Strategic Consulting, Valuations, Capital Markets, Leasing, Global Workplace Solutions, Property Management and Project Management. Please visit www.cbre.co.in.
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About Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
Founded in 1997, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled is a Bengaluru-based non-profit organisation that supports persons with disabilities and underserved communities through education, skills development, livelihoods, sports and rehabilitation. Its programmes seek to expand access, strengthen independence and advance inclusion. For more information, visit www.samarthanam.org
About the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI)
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the sports initiative of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, is the apex body for blind cricket in India and is affiliated with the World Blind Cricket Council. CABI promotes and develops the sport, creating pathways for visually impaired cricketers to participate, excel and represent India internationally. For more information, visit www.blindcricket.in