Bhubaneshwar, Jan 15 (NationPress) The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled are set to organize the Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2026 from January 17 to 22 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This exciting event will feature 18 teams divided into five pools, all vying for the championship title.

The league matches will kick off on January 17 and will conclude with the grand final on January 22. The tournament will be officially launched on January 16 with a spectacular opening ceremony set for 7:30 PM at the Hi-Tech Medical College Auditorium. The Hon’ble Minister for Sports from the Government of Odisha and other esteemed guests from various sectors are expected to attend.

Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, the Chairman of CABI, expressed, “In the past year, women’s cricket has gained remarkable traction, making national-level tournaments essential for spotting and nurturing fresh talent for India. The Indian Women’s Team’s World Cup triumph filled the nation with pride, and all 16 players from the World Cup squad will be present at the nationals, representing their respective states. They honed their skills at the national level before securing their spots in the Indian team.

“This championship is a crucial opportunity for players to showcase their cricketing abilities. The support from IndusInd Bank has been pivotal and plays a significant role in advancing women’s cricket for the blind in India. Their ongoing dedication has profoundly impacted the empowerment of women and their lives through cricket for the blind,” he added.

“The league matches and quarterfinals will wrap up on January 20, after which the top four teams will face off in the semifinals on January 21 for a shot at the final. The championship match will occur on January 22 at the Hi-Tech Medical College Cricket Ground. A total of 31 matches will unfold during the IndusInd Bank Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2026.

“The victorious team will be awarded a cash prize of INR 1,50,000, while the runners-up will receive INR 1,25,000. Three players from different sight categories will be recognized as Players of the Series with a cash prize of INR 15,000 each. Additionally, 31 Players of the Match will earn INR 5,000 each, and every participant will receive a match fee of INR 1,000 per match,” mentioned G. Sridhar, Chairman of Women’s Cricket and Treasurer of CABI.

Md. Jafar Iqbal, President of the Cricket Association for the Visually Impaired in Odisha (CAVI), stated, “CAVI is thrilled to host 18 women’s teams for the first-ever Women’s National Cricket Tournament for the Blind in Odisha. The growth of women’s cricket over the years is commendable, and we take pride in how cricket for the blind continues to uplift and transform the lives of women cricketers. My heartfelt thanks go to the Government of Odisha and the Department of Sports & Youth Services for their unwavering support in promoting cricket for the blind. Their proactive approach has consistently provided employment opportunities, cash rewards, and recognition to players. I also extend sincere gratitude to all our partners for their ongoing support of the Women’s National Tournament.”

The 18 teams have been categorized based on their past performances in the National Tournament. This edition marks the 6th Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind.

Madhya Pradesh claimed victory in the 5th edition, and the spotlight will be on the top teams to see if a new champion will emerge in this year’s Women’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2026. Odisha has secured the title three times in the last five editions, while Karnataka clinched the championship in 2022.

The participating teams are organized into the following groups:

Group A: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

Group B: Karnataka, Jharkhand, Delhi, Gujarat

Group C: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh

Group D: Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh

Group E: West Bengal, Haryana, Assam