Indian deaf women's cricket team begins historic T20 tour to Sri Lanka
Synopsis
For the first time in history, an Indian deaf women's cricket team is touring internationally — five T20s in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, from 7–13 July 2026. What began as a jersey launch in New Delhi is now the opening act of a roadmap that includes a Tri-Series in 2027 and a Women's T20 World Cup in Delhi in 2028. Deaf women's cricket in India has quietly arrived on the global stage.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Deaf Women's Cricket Team departs for their first-ever international T20 tour to Sri Lanka this week.
Five T20 matches will be played at De Soysa Park International Cricket Stadium, Moratuwa , from 7–13 July 2026 .
The squad is captained by Kajal Dhawan ; former India captain Diana Edulji attended the jersey launch and endorsed the team.
A Women's Deaf T20I Tri-Series (India, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago) is scheduled for March 2027 .
The DICC Women's T20 World Cup is set to be hosted in Delhi in February 2028 .
The Indian Deaf Women's Cricket Team is set to make history by embarking on their first-ever international T20 tour to Sri Lanka this week, marking the debut of Indian deaf women in international cricket. The five-match T20 International Deaf Cricket Series, played at De Soysa Park International Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa, runs from 7 July to 13 July 2026 — a milestone that advocates say will reshape the landscape of inclusive sport in India.
Jersey Launch and the Road to Sri Lanka
Ahead of the tour, the team unveiled their jersey at a ceremony in New Delhi on 4 July 2026. The event was attended by Sumit Jain, President of the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA); Sunny Singh, IAS District Magistrate of New Delhi, who served as chief guest; Ashok Sharma, Secretary of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), as Guest of Honour; and Ravi Chauhan, Secretary of the Deaf Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and Member of the BCCI Differently Abled Cricket Committee.
What Officials and Players Said
Sumit Jain called the tour a defining chapter for Indian deaf cricket. 'This Sri Lanka tour is a defining chapter for Indian deaf cricket. For so many years, our women cricketers have trained and played away from the international spotlight, driven purely by love for the game of cricket. With this tour, they will walk onto the global stage as India's ambassadors. IDCA has always believed in equal opportunity, and this tour proves that talent knows no boundaries,' he said.
Former Indian Women's Cricket Team captain Diana Edulji praised the players' achievement: 'It is a significant milestone for India that our hearing-impaired girls have got their first international call-up. Cricket belongs to everyone! You've broken barriers just by getting here and we all are very proud of you.' Edulji added that she had personally witnessed the team's performance at a T10 deaf tournament in Mumbai and was impressed by their calibre and sportsmanship.
Team captain Kajal Dhawan framed the tour as a statement beyond sport: 'This is a historic moment for us. Going to Sri Lanka for our first international T20 tour is not just about playing cricket, it's about proving that hearing is not a barrier to passion, skill, or representing our country. Every player in this team has worked tirelessly and we will be carrying the hopes of every girl in India who dreams of wearing the blue jersey.'
The Squad
The 15-member squad is led by Kajal Dhawan (captain and wicketkeeper), with Needa Zabi Shaikh as vice-captain. The full squad includes Pratima Mishra (wk), Aakansha Kanasiya, Reddy Jyoshna, Dipti Rani Sahoo, Shraddha Vaishnav, Sangeetha, Sukanya K. S., Ruby Yadav, Chandani Khan, Priyanshi Dixit, D. Kanthamma, Priyanka Saini, and Anjali.
Future Tournaments on the Horizon
The IDCA also announced two landmark events scheduled in India. A Women's Deaf T20I Tri-Series featuring India, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad & Tobago is planned for March 2027, followed by the DICC Women's T20 World Cup in Delhi in February 2028. Together, these events signal India's growing ambition to position itself at the centre of global deaf women's cricket. The Sri Lanka series is, in that sense, not just a debut — it is the opening chapter of a longer arc.
Point of View
Home multi-team event, global showpiece. What is missing from the conversation is formal BCCI recognition and a pathway that connects deaf women's cricket to the broader women's cricket ecosystem. Without that linkage, these players risk remaining inspirational footnotes rather than integrated parts of Indian cricket's structure.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Indian Deaf Women's Cricket Team tour Sri Lanka?
The team plays five T20 matches at De Soysa Park International Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, from 7 July to 13 July 2026. This is the first international tour by an Indian deaf women's cricket team.
Who is captaining the Indian Deaf Women's Cricket Team?
Kajal Dhawan captains the side and also serves as wicketkeeper. Needa Zabi Shaikh is the vice-captain of the 15-member squad.
What is the IDCA and what role does it play?
The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) is the governing body for deaf cricket in India. It organised the Sri Lanka tour, conducted the jersey launch ceremony in New Delhi, and has announced future tournaments including a Women's T20 World Cup in Delhi in February 2028.
What future tournaments have been announced for deaf women's cricket in India?
The IDCA has announced a Women's Deaf T20I Tri-Series featuring India, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago in March 2027, and the DICC Women's T20 World Cup in Delhi in February 2028.
Why is this Sri Lanka tour considered historic?
It is the first time an Indian deaf women's cricket team has competed in international cricket. The tour marks the debut of deaf women's cricket on the global stage for India and is seen as a foundation for the sport's growth domestically and internationally.
