Blind Cricket Asia Cup: India name 17-member squad for Dhaka defence
Synopsis
India's 17-member blind cricket squad, picked from a 24-player camp by CABI, heads to Dhaka for the second Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup (November 15-20) as defending champions. A side that has won the ICC Blind Cricket World Cup five times and claimed the inaugural Asia Cup in 2016 by 44 runs over Pakistan, India arrive with pedigree — and a month of preparation still to come.
Key Takeaways
India named a 17-member squad for the second Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup in Dhaka , scheduled 15–20 November .
The squad was finalised by CABI after a 10-day selection camp that assessed 24 prospects .
Players will complete a month-long preparatory camp in Delhi NCR before departing for Bangladesh.
India won the inaugural edition in January 2016 in Kochi , defeating Pakistan by 44 runs .
India's men's blind cricket team has won the ICC Blind Cricket World Cup five times across formats.
India have announced a 17-member squad for the second Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup, scheduled in Dhaka from 15 to 20 November, as the defending champions gear up to reclaim continental supremacy after a decade-long gap in the tournament.
Squad Selection and Preparation
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) confirmed the squad following an intensive 10-day selection and coaching camp that evaluated 24 prospects. The finalised group will undergo a month-long preparatory camp in Delhi NCR before travelling to Bangladesh for the continental showdown.
The training programme is structured to sharpen batting, bowling, fielding, fitness, conditioning, and match strategy. Players were assessed on performance, fitness levels, technical skills, and overall tournament readiness during the selection camp.
Full Squad Breakdown by Category
The B1 category features Naresh Tumda, Sanjay Kumar Shah, Debaraj Behera, Ashok Reddy, Praveen Kumar Sharma, and Mukesh Kumar Rawat.
The B2 category includes Dunna Venkateshwararao, Rambir Singh, Lokesha, Manish Kumar, and Nakula Badanayak. Rounding out the squad in the B3 category are Durga Rao Tompaki, Sunil Ramesh, Sukhram Majhi, A Ravi, Dinesh Rathva, and Deepak.
CABI Chairman's Message
Dr Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, chairman of CABI, congratulated the selected players and expressed confidence in their preparations. 'Congratulations to the 17 players selected to represent India at the Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup 2026. Each has worked hard to earn a place in the national team. We look forward to seeing them build on India's proud legacy as they prepare to defend the title. I wish the team every success,' he said.
India's Historic Legacy in Blind Cricket
India won the inaugural Blind T20 Asia Cup, hosted by CABI in Kochi in January 2016, defeating Pakistan by 44 runs in the final. The Indian team posted 208/5 before restricting Pakistan to 164, securing the maiden continental title. Notably, India's dominance extends to the global stage — the men's blind cricket team has won the ICC Blind Cricket World Cup five times across formats, underlining the country's standing as a powerhouse in adaptive cricket.
What to Watch in Dhaka
With a month of structured preparation still ahead, India head into the Dhaka tournament as strong favourites. The Blind Cricket Asia Cup will serve as a key barometer of the team's readiness for future ICC-level competitions, and a successful title defence would further cement India's status as the continent's foremost blind cricket nation.
Point of View
With a 10-day camp and a month of preparation, signals institutional seriousness, but long-term growth of the sport depends on broadcast visibility and sponsorship that remain elusive. If India win again in Dhaka, the question worth asking is whether that achievement will register with the same audiences who follow every T20I score in real time.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which players are in India's squad for the Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup 2026?
India's 17-member squad includes Naresh Tumda, Sanjay Kumar Shah, Debaraj Behera, Ashok Reddy, Praveen Kumar Sharma and Mukesh Kumar Rawat (B1); Dunna Venkateshwararao, Rambir Singh, Lokesha, Manish Kumar and Nakula Badanayak (B2); and Durga Rao Tompaki, Sunil Ramesh, Sukhram Majhi, A Ravi, Dinesh Rathva and Deepak (B3). The squad was selected by CABI after a 10-day camp evaluating 24 prospects.
When and where is the Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup 2026 being held?
The second Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup is scheduled in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 15 to 20 November 2026. India are the defending champions of the tournament.
How did India win the inaugural Blind Cricket Asia Cup?
India won the inaugural Blind T20 Asia Cup, hosted in Kochi in January 2016, by defeating Pakistan by 44 runs in the final. India scored 208/5 and restricted Pakistan to 164 to claim the maiden title.
How successful has India's blind cricket team been internationally?
India's men's blind cricket team has won the ICC Blind Cricket World Cup five times across formats, establishing the country as one of the dominant forces in global adaptive cricket.
How is India preparing for the Blind Cricket Asia Cup 2026?
The selected 17 players will undergo a month-long preparatory camp in Delhi NCR before travelling to Dhaka. The programme covers batting, bowling, fielding, fitness, conditioning, and match strategy, building on the 10-day selection camp that preceded the squad announcement.
