J&K win IDCA T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026
Synopsis
Jammu & Kashmir lifted the IDCA 10th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 trophy in Surat — the first time the city has hosted this national event. With 14 state teams competing and BCCI backing on display, the tournament signals that deaf cricket's reach across India is quietly but steadily growing.
Key Takeaways
Jammu & Kashmir were crowned champions of the IDCA 10th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 ; Rajasthan finished runners-up.
The tournament was held at Bawaji Cricket Ground, Bhatpore, Surat from 26 October to 1 November 2026 .
14 teams from across India participated — the largest national deaf cricket gathering under the IDCA banner.
Sai Akash (Tamil Nadu Deaf) won both Player of the Series and Best Batsman of the Series ; Sanju Sharma (Rajasthan Deaf) was Best Bowler of the Series .
Shariq Majeed (J&K Deaf) received the Player of the Match award in the final.
This was the first time Surat hosted the national-level T20 championship for deaf cricketers.
Jammu & Kashmir were crowned champions of the IDCA 10th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026, defeating Rajasthan in the final held at Bawaji Cricket Ground, Bhatpore, Surat, on 1 November 2026. The tournament, organised by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), brought together 14 teams from across India in a competition that ran from 26 October to 1 November 2026.
Individual Honours
Tamil Nadu Deaf's Sai Akash claimed a double distinction, earning both the Player of the Series and the Best Batsman of the Series awards. Rajasthan Deaf's Sanju Sharma was named Best Bowler of the Series, while Jammu & Kashmir Deaf's Shariq Majeed took the Player of the Match honour in the final.
A First for Surat
The 10th edition marked the first time that Surat hosted a national-level T20 championship for deaf cricketers — a milestone acknowledged by organisers as a sign of the sport's expanding footprint. The event was co-hosted by the Gujarat Deaf Cricket Association (GDCA) and the Deaf Cricket Association Surat (DCAS), and received support from bodies including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC), the Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA), the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), and the Surat District Cricket Association (SDCA).
What Organisers Said
IDCA president Sumit Jain called the tournament's conclusion 'another important milestone in our efforts to strengthen the platform for deaf cricket in India,' adding that the participation of 14 teams from across the country 'reflects the growing reach of the sport.' GDCA general secretary Mittal Shah, who coordinated the event, described the players' talent, discipline and spirit as making it 'a memorable celebration of deaf cricket.'
The closing ceremony was attended by Santosh Kumar Rai, IAS, Special Secretary, Home Department, Government of Delhi, as chief guest. He noted that 'hearing impairment is never a barrier to achieving excellence in sports,' and commended all players, coaches, officials, sponsors and volunteers. The ceremony also featured a retirement felicitation for Parth Gajjar in recognition of his service to Indian deaf cricket.
Broader Significance
The championship serves as the primary national platform for deaf cricketers to compete at the highest domestic level and draws attention to the need for greater institutional support for para-sport disciplines. Notably, the BCCI's backing of the event signals incremental mainstream recognition for deaf cricket in India. With the 10th edition successfully concluded, all eyes now turn to how IDCA plans to build on the momentum for its next cycle.
Point of View
A BCCI-backed venue, and a closing ceremony with an IAS officer as chief guest, yet the event barely registers in national cricket coverage. The institutional support is real, but the visibility gap remains wide. If deaf cricket is to attract more talent and funding, the IDCA will need media partnerships and broadcast attention that a one-day closing ceremony cannot substitute for.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the IDCA T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026?
Jammu & Kashmir won the IDCA 10th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026, with Rajasthan finishing as runners-up. The final was played at Bawaji Cricket Ground in Surat on 1 November 2026.
Where was the IDCA 10th T20 Deaf Cricket Championship held?
The championship was held at Bawaji Cricket Ground, Bhatpore, Surat, Gujarat — marking the first time Surat has hosted this national-level tournament. It ran from 26 October to 1 November 2026.
Who were the individual award winners at the 2026 IDCA Deaf Cricket Championship?
Sai Akash of Tamil Nadu Deaf won both Player of the Series and Best Batsman of the Series. Sanju Sharma of Rajasthan Deaf was named Best Bowler of the Series, and Shariq Majeed of J&K Deaf won the Player of the Match award in the final.
How many teams participated in the IDCA T20 Deaf Cricket Championship 2026?
A total of 14 teams representing states and regions across India participated in the tournament, making it one of the broadest national deaf cricket competitions held under the IDCA umbrella.
Which organisations supported the IDCA 10th T20 Deaf Cricket Championship?
The championship received support from the BCCI, Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC), Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA), Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), Surat District Cricket Association (SDCA), GDCA and DCAS. It was organised by IDCA and co-hosted by GDCA and DCAS.
