Deaf cricketer Sibun Nanda, 19, eyes Ranji Trophy after India Deaf Cricket debut
Synopsis
A 19-year-old deaf and mute all-rounder from Berhampur has already worn the India jersey in Deaf Cricket — and he is not stopping there. Sibun Nanda's sights are firmly on the Ranji Trophy and, beyond that, a senior India cap, communicating on the field entirely through hand signals and eye contact.
Key Takeaways
Sibun Nanda , 19 , from Berhampur, Odisha , is a deaf and mute right-handed batter and right-arm fast bowler.
He has represented India in two Deaf Cricket matches and played for Odisha Under-19 in the Cooch Behar Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy .
He is currently part of the Kataka Panthers in the Odisha T20 League-CM Trophy .
Nanda communicates on the field through hand signals , gestures , and eye contact .
His stated goals are a Ranji Trophy debut and eventual selection for the senior India team .
He draws inspiration from M.S.
Dhoni and Hardik Pandya .
Odisha all-rounder Sibun Nanda, a 19-year-old deaf and mute cricketer from Berhampur, has represented India in two Deaf Cricket matches — and is already looking beyond that milestone. His next targets: a Ranji Trophy debut and, ultimately, a place in the senior India cricket team.
From Berhampur to the India Jersey
Nanda's cricketing journey began at the Khalikote College Ground in Berhampur, where he honed his skills as a right-handed batter and right-arm fast bowler. Over the last three seasons, he has represented the Odisha Under-19 side in the Cooch Behar Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy, before earning his India Deaf Cricket debut. He is currently playing for the Kataka Panthers in the Odisha T20 League-CM Trophy, steadily climbing the state cricket ladder.
In His Own Words
'My vision is to progress further in cricket and regularly represent India. I have already played two matches for India in Deaf Cricket, which is a very big achievement and a matter of pride for me. But my dream does not end there. I want to play in the Ranji Trophy, and if I get the opportunity, I also want to represent India's senior cricket team,' Nanda said.
He added: 'For that, I am completely focused on regular practice, fitness and performance. My dream is to make Odisha, my family and my supporters proud through my performances.'
Communication on the Field — A Different Language
Nanda's inability to hear or speak has not prevented him from functioning effectively as a team cricketer. He relies on hand signals, gestures, and eye contact to communicate with teammates during matches. 'I don't face any major difficulty while playing. For me, communication is not just about speaking; it is also about understanding each other,' he said. His approach reflects a self-sufficiency that teammates and coaches have reportedly noted with admiration.
Background and Inspiration
Born and raised on Radha Krishna Billa Street near Gate Bazar in Berhampur, Nanda comes from a modest family — his father works as a priest and astrologer. His story has drawn comparisons to the character Iqbal from the 2005 Bollywood film of the same name, which depicted a young deaf and mute cricketer's pursuit of the national team. Nanda draws his on-field inspiration from former India captain M.S. Dhoni and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, two cricketers known for performing under pressure.
What Comes Next
Nanda's immediate goal is to break into Odisha's Ranji Trophy squad, a significant step up from age-group and deaf cricket. His consistent appearances across the Cooch Behar Trophy, Vinoo Mankad Trophy, and now the state T20 league suggest a cricketer building his case one format at a time. If his trajectory holds, Nanda could become one of Indian cricket's more unlikely — and compelling — stories of the decade.
Point of View
State contracts, IPL exposure — but almost no formal provision for deaf cricketers to transition from disability cricket into the open Ranji pipeline. The fact that Nanda is navigating both circuits simultaneously is remarkable; that the system has no clear bridge between them is the part worth examining. His ambition is vivid and credible, but without policy-level inclusion — selection trials that accommodate deaf athletes, or coaching frameworks that integrate non-verbal communication — individual will alone may not be enough.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sibun Nanda's goal in cricket?
Nanda has stated his ambition is to earn a Ranji Trophy debut for Odisha and, if the opportunity arises, represent the senior India cricket team. He has said his dream does not end with his Deaf Cricket appearances.
How does Sibun Nanda communicate with teammates during matches?
Nanda relies on hand signals, gestures, and eye contact to communicate on the field. He has said he does not face major difficulty playing, and that communication for him is about understanding each other, not just speaking.
What tournaments has Sibun Nanda played in?
He has played for Odisha Under-19 in the Cooch Behar Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy over three seasons, represented India in Deaf Cricket, and is currently part of the Kataka Panthers in the Odisha T20 League-CM Trophy.
Who are Sibun Nanda's cricketing inspirations?
Nanda has named former India captain M.S. Dhoni and all-rounder Hardik Pandya as his favourite cricketers and the players who inspire his game.
