NEW DELHI, June 11: The Indian Deaf cricket team is gearing up for their inaugural bilateral T20 International Deaf Series against England, set to kick off on June 18, 2024.
The historic seven-match series will commence at The County Ground, Derby, and traverse through Kidderminster, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire before concluding in Leicestershire on June 27.
Supported by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the Indian squad, led by Captain Virender Singh, is poised to showcase their talent and prowess on the international stage. Secretary of DEPwD, Shri Rajesh Aggrawal, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity in sports and wishing the team success.
With Coach Dev Dutt and Head Coach Santosh Kumar Rai at the helm, along with CEO of IDCA, Roma Balwani, and other officials, the team is primed for a spirited performance. President of IDCA, Sumit Jain, highlighted the learning opportunities inherent in international competition and extended his best wishes to the team.
Having undergone rigorous training in Delhi from June 7 to June 14, the Indian squad will depart for England on June 15, aiming to return triumphant on June 30. The Bilateral T20 series, organized by the Disability Committee of England & Wales Cricket Board, marks a significant milestone in the journey of Indian Deaf cricket.
Roma Balwani, CEO of IDCA, expressed gratitude to the ECB for hosting the inaugural international bilateral series, emphasising the commitment to nurturing world-class hearing-impaired players. The matches will be livestreamed on the ECB website and YouTube channel, as well as the IDCA YouTube channel, allowing fans worldwide to witness the historic event firsthand. (UNI)