Bengaluru: The Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind returned to the country on Monday to an extraordinary outpouring of pride and celebration, a day after creating history by winning the inaugural SBI Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind 2025 in Colombo. Led by Dr Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the team’s triumph over Nepal has ignited admiration across the nation.
Emotional reception at Chennai
The team first landed in Chennai, where cheering supporters, waving tricolours and heartfelt applause set the tone for a memorable homecoming. Admirers, officials and onlookers gathered in large numbers, honouring the players whose determination and resilience have elevated India’s stature in world blind cricket.
Karnataka extends a proud welcome
As the team arrived in Bengaluru later in the afternoon, the celebrations grew even more spirited. The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Karnataka, welcomed the players with immense pride, underscoring the state’s continued commitment to promoting inclusive sporting opportunities.
The warm gestures and felicitations were a tribute not just to the team’s victory but also to the role of visually impaired women athletes in driving India’s leadership in inclusive sport.
Felicitations at Kempegowda International Airport
The celebrations continued at Kempegowda International Airport, where IndiGo Airlines staff and Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL) officials greeted the players with flowers, applause and special acknowledgements. The airport echoed with emotion as the newly crowned world champions were honoured for their landmark achievement.
Adding to the joyous moment, each player received a cash award of ₹1,00,000 from the Delhi-NCR–based Chintels Group and ₹25,000 from London-based tech firm Chiplogic, recognising their courage and historic contribution to Indian sport.
A milestone for inclusion and women’s sport
The grand welcome marked more than a victory celebration — it reaffirmed India’s commitment to nurturing women’s participation in disability sport. The triumph of the Indian team at the first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind stands as a monumental achievement, inspiring athletes nationwide and signalling a new era of opportunity and visibility for blind women cricketers.
Their homecoming was a powerful reminder that when dedication and belief come together, history is made — and celebrated with a nation’s full heart.