New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) The Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), in collaboration with the leading accessibility organization Svayam, hosted a farewell ceremony for the Indian team selected to participate in the Physical Disabled Cricket Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to take place in Sri Lanka from January 12 to 21, 2025. The event was attended by notable figures including Rohan Jaitley, President of DDCA, Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson of Svayam, DCCI officials, players, and other dignitaries.
The Indian squad, consisting of 17 players, was selected following a comprehensive training camp held in Jaipur, under the guidance of Head Coach Rohit Jhalani, a former captain of the Rajasthan Ranji team. This team will compete against formidable international opponents including England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan during the tournament.
Ravikant Chauhan, General Secretary of DCCI, remarked, “The team has been assembled through a thorough selection process. We are optimistic that this team will excel in the tournament and bring honor to India. DCCI has been fostering differently-abled cricketers for many years and continues to provide a platform for upcoming talent. This team includes several exceptionally skilled players, with two hailing from Kashmir.
“The assembly of this team was made possible due to the backing of our coaches, support staff, and other stakeholders. I would like to express my gratitude to the accessibility NGO Svayam, which has supported DCCI for many years and is also assisting the team in this tournament. It is through this inclusive approach that we can advance differently-abled cricket,” he added.
Led by Captain Vikrant Ravindra Keni and Vice-Captain Ravindra Gopinath Sante, both from Mumbai, the Indian team features wicketkeepers Yogender Singh from Madhya Pradesh and Devendra Singh from Uttar Pradesh. Other key players include Akhil Reddy from Andhra Pradesh, Radhika Prasad from Uttar Pradesh, Akash Anil Patil from Mumbai, Sunny Goyat and Pawan Kumar from Haryana, Jithendra, Narendra, and Rajesh from Karnataka, Nikhil Manhas, Amir Hassan, and Majid Magray from Jammu & Kashmir, Kunal Dattatray Phanase from Maharashtra, and Surendra from Rajasthan. The reserves comprise Jaswant Singh from Rajasthan, Sadiq from Delhi, and G.S. Shivashankara from Karnataka.
The team will be supported by a seasoned coaching and assistance team, including head coach Rohit Jhalani, strength and conditioning coach Ramswaroop Saini, assistant coach Ravindra Patil, fielding coach Rohit Sharma, video analyst Sanket Khedkar, and physiotherapist Mayank Pushkar.
On this special occasion, Rohan Jaitley, President of DDCA, stated, “I extend my congratulations to the cricketers selected to represent India at the PD Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka. Each athlete has put in tremendous effort to earn their place on the team, and I encourage them to enjoy the journey. I am confident they will also win the cup in the process. I also commend Svayam for their unwavering support of the team and their efforts in promoting accessibility in India.”
The Indian squad will commence its journey in Sri Lanka on January 12, facing Pakistan, followed by matches against England and Sri Lanka, culminating in the grand final scheduled for January 21.
