Bengaluru/Kota, Dec 9 (NationPress) Karnataka secured a victory over Delhi in Group A, while Rajasthan exhibited dominance over Bihar in Group B as the action reignited in the 7th edition of the Men's National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2024-25, affectionately referred to as the Nagesh Trophy, across two locations on Monday.

The league stage of the Nagesh Trophy kicked off on Monday, featuring eight teams competing in Groups A and B. Matches in Group A are held at Altiore Sports – The Oval, Bengaluru, while those in Group B take place at JK Pavilion Ground, Kota, Rajasthan.

During the match at Altiore Sports - The Oval, Bengaluru, Delhi set a target of 192/5 in their 20 overs. Karnataka's Sunil Ramesh was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 105 off 57 balls, leading his team to a comfortable 195/2 in just 17.3 overs. He was awarded the Player of the Match. In the second encounter, Kochi edged out Tamil Nadu by a slender margin of five runs, posting 175 before being bowled out, while Tamil Nadu fell short with 170 runs in 20 overs. Mohamad Farhan received Player of the Match honors for his 58 off 36 deliveries.

Group B matches at JK Pavilion Ground, Kota, saw Rajasthan overpower Bihar, limiting them to just 99 runs in 16.4 overs. Rajasthan comfortably chased down the target, finishing at 101/5 in 10.4 overs, with Ghewar Rebari being named Player of the Match. The second match in Kota was a close affair, with Andhra Pradesh defeating Haryana by 16 runs, thanks to T. Durga Rao, who delivered an outstanding performance with a score of 100 off 53 balls, earning Player of the Match accolades.

This year's league matches are set to take place across six venues, leading to the Super 8 stage in February 2025. A total of 28 teams, consisting of state and union territory squads, along with an Indian Railways team, are competing for the championship title.

Officials from CABI and representatives from the Samarthanam Trust were also in attendance. Dr. Mahantesh, the Chairman of CABI, extended his best wishes to all teams, stressing that today's officials were once players themselves, showcasing how Cricket for the Blind nurtures excellence and leadership.