Karnataka Deaf Cricket Team Triumphs at National T20 Championship
The Karnataka Deaf Cricket team clinched victory at the VIII National T20 Cricket Championship for the Deaf, held in Kadarpur, Haryana from April 19 to 25. Organized by the All-India Sports Council of the Deaf in association with the Haryana Sports Council of the Deaf, the championship saw Karnataka dominate Group B, winning all five matches en route to the title.
In a thrilling final held in Gurugram on April 24, Karnataka edged past Punjab by four runs. Batting first, Karnataka posted 177 for 7 wickets. In response, Punjab fought hard but fell short, managing 173 for 7. Team captain Subramani Singh led from the front, scoring 45 runs and taking two wickets while conceding 27 runs in his four overs. Vice-captain Souban Armar added valuable support with a crucial 34-run innings.
Despite their success, the journey was financially challenging. Players, coming from various parts of Karnataka, mostly trained individually at private coaching centres and gathered once a week at the BLC ground. “It cost Rs 1,000 per day for my son’s practice,” shared Shiva Kumar, father of team member Kushal JS. Each player spent nearly Rs 10,000 covering travel, food, and other expenses.
Team members expressed immense pride in their hard-fought victory and hope for greater government support. “They are no less than Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma — they too play for their homeland,” Kumar remarked, urging authorities to recognize and fund their efforts.
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