Karnataka win IDCA U-19 Deaf T20 National Cricket Championship 2026
Synopsis
Karnataka U-19 swept both the title and every individual award at the 3rd IDCA U-19 Deaf T20 National Cricket Championship 2026 in Anantapur, with Santih Shetty and M U Sagar dominating finals day. The result underlines Karnataka's emerging dominance in structured deaf cricket — and IDCA's quietly expanding national footprint backed by the BCCI.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka U-19 beat Haryana U-19 by five wickets to win the 3rd U-19 T20 National Cricket Championship for the Deaf 2026 on 27 June 2026 .
The final was held at RDT Stadium Cricket Ground, Anantapur ; Haryana were bowled out for 74 , Karnataka reached 78/5 in 13.5 overs .
10 state teams competed across 23 league matches from 22–26 June 2026 .
Santih Shetty (Karnataka) won Best Batsman and Player of the Series ; M U Sagar (Karnataka) won Best Bowler and Player of the Final Match .
Delhi U-19 finished third; the tournament was organised by DCAAP and backed by the BCCI .
Karnataka U-19 were crowned champions of the 3rd U-19 T20 National Cricket Championship for the Deaf 2026 on 27 June 2026, defeating Haryana U-19 by five wickets in the final at the RDT Stadium Cricket Ground in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. The tournament, organised by the Deaf Cricket Association of Andhra Pradesh (DCAAP), brought together 10 state teams across 23 league matches played from 22 to 26 June 2026.
Final Match Scorecard
Haryana U-19 were bundled out for 74 runs in 15.5 overs after Karnataka U-19 won the toss and chose to field. Karnataka chased down the target comfortably, reaching 78 for 5 in 13.5 overs to seal a five-wicket victory. Delhi U-19 finished third in the final standings.
Individual Awards
Santih Shetty of Karnataka was named both Best Batsman and Player of the Series, underlining his consistency throughout the week-long tournament. Teammate M U Sagar claimed the Best Bowler award and was also adjudged Player of the Final Match, capping a dominant double for the Karnataka camp.
What the Championship Represents
The tournament is a flagship initiative of the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), which is backed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and recognised by the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) and the Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA). The championship is designed to identify and nurture deaf cricket talent at the under-19 level before players are considered for national representation.
This is the third successive edition of the tournament, and its growing scale — ten states, 23 matches — reflects the expanding reach of structured deaf cricket in India. Notably, the event was hosted in Anantapur, a Tier-2 city, signalling IDCA's intent to take the sport beyond metropolitan centres.
What the Organisers Said
Sumit Jain, president of IDCA, said: 'The successful completion of the U-19 3rd T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 is another proud milestone for Indian deaf cricket. Watching these talented young athletes compete with such determination, passion, and sportsmanship has been truly inspiring. I congratulate Karnataka on winning the championship and commend Haryana, Delhi, and every participating team for their remarkable performances.'
Jain also acknowledged the tournament's principal support partner, Cyrus S. Poonawalla and the Serum Institute of India, along with the Cyrus Poonawalla Group and KFC India, for their continued backing of deaf cricket in India.
Challagali Raghu, general secretary of DCAAP, added: 'It has been an honour for Andhra Pradesh to host this prestigious national championship. The enthusiasm, discipline, and talent displayed by all ten teams have made this tournament a memorable celebration of deaf cricket.'
A. Malola, District Revenue Officer of Anantapur, attended as Chief Guest for the closing ceremony. With the championship concluded, attention will now turn to how IDCA leverages this talent pipeline toward future national and international deaf cricket competitions.
Point of View
But its institutional architecture is more robust than most people realise — BCCI backing, DICC recognition, and a corporate sponsor list that includes the Serum Institute. Karnataka's clean sweep of team and individual honours points to a state-level infrastructure investment in deaf cricket that others have not yet matched. The real story, though, is geography: hosting a national championship in Anantapur rather than a metro is a deliberate signal that inclusive sport must travel to talent, not the other way around. Whether IDCA can convert this grassroots depth into a sustained international programme remains the question worth watching.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 3rd IDCA U-19 Deaf T20 National Cricket Championship 2026?
Karnataka U-19 won the championship, defeating Haryana U-19 by five wickets in the final held on 27 June 2026 at RDT Stadium Cricket Ground in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
What were the scores in the final match?
Haryana U-19 were all out for 74 runs in 15.5 overs. Karnataka U-19 chased the target down to 78 for 5 in 13.5 overs, winning by five wickets.
Who were the top award winners at the championship?
Santih Shetty of Karnataka U-19 was named Best Batsman and Player of the Series. M U Sagar, also from Karnataka U-19, won Best Bowler and Player of the Final Match.
How many teams participated and how many matches were played?
Ten state teams — Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh — competed in 23 league matches held from 22 to 26 June 2026.
What is IDCA and who backs it?
The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) is the national governing body for deaf cricket in India. It is backed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and recognised by the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC) and the Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA).
