In a moment that perfectly captured national pride, India’s Women’s Blind Cricket Team – the first-ever SBI Women’s T20 World Cup champions, received a heartfelt felicitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence. Joining the team were Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founding Trustee of Samarthanam and Chairman of CABI, Mr. Shailender, Secretary of CABI, and Ms. Meenakshi Lekhi, Chair of the tournament’s Organising Committee.
The Prime Minister praised the team’s remarkable triumph in Colombo, calling it “a proud reflection of India’s unstoppable spirit.” He reiterated one of his most resonant messages: “Hard work never brings fatigue; it brings satisfaction.” His words set the tone for what turned out to be an emotional, memorable interaction.
It was a delight to host the Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team that won the Blind Women’s T20 World Cup! They shared their experiences, which were very inspiring indeed. pic.twitter.com/ar6SuQWHC9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 27, 2025
One of the standout moments came when Captain Deepika presented the World Cup trophy along with a bat signed by the entire squad. The Prime Minister’s response made history, he announced that the bat would be placed in the PM’s Museum, cementing the team’s achievement in the nation’s collective memory.
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What followed was a rare display of warmth and personal connection. PM Modi hand-fed laddoos to each player, spoke with them individually, listened to their on-field challenges with genuine interest, and applauded their resilience. At his request, Captain Deepika even sang, a moment that deeply touched everyone present.
But beyond the celebration, this meeting carried a powerful message. It reaffirmed India’s commitment to dignity, opportunity, and inclusion in sport. It showed that when talent is nurtured and given space to shine, disability is never a barrier to excellence or national pride.
Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) expressed deep gratitude to the Prime Minister for the unprecedented honour, saying the recognition has injected fresh energy into India’s inclusive sporting movement.
As India continues its journey toward an Atmanirbhar Bharat, today’s event stands tall, a day when champions of courage met a leader of conviction, inspiring countless blind cricketers across the country to dream even bigger.
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