From Kathua to Team India: Anekha Devi breaks barriers
Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, Sept 12: Bringing immense pride to Jammu and Kashmir and the entire North India, 20-year-old Anekha Devi, hailing from the remote village of Machhedi (Bajohi), tehsil Lohi Malhar in Kathua district, has been selected to represent India in the inaugural Women’s T20 Blind Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held from November 11 to 25.
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After a rigorous nationwide talent hunt involving 56 players, followed by intensive training and selection camps, the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) finalized a 16-member squad for the first-ever International Women’s Blind T20 World Cup. Anekha (All rounder) is the only player selected from North India, making her achievement even more significant.
Expressing her happiness, Anekha told EXCELSIOR, “It’s a really happy moment for me and my family to be part of the Indian team in the maiden Women’s Blind Cricket World Cup. It’s like a dream come true.”
Anekha’s journey to the national team has been nothing short of inspiring. She completed her early education up to Class 7 at her village high school in Bajohi. Later, she moved to Jammu where she studied till Class 10 at the Blind School, Roop Nagar and then pursued Class 11 and 12 from Government Higher Secondary School, Rehari. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Delhi University.
Interestingly, cricket was not her first passion. Anekha initially excelled in Judo, having represented Jammu and Kashmir at the national level five times, winning gold medals on each occasion. Cricket entered her life more casually, as she often accompanied her uncle, Ajay Kumar- General Secretary, Cricket Association for Blind J&K-to various matches. It was he who recognized her potential and gave her initial training in the sport.
Due to the absence of a women’s blind cricket team in Jammu and Kashmir, Anekha eventually shifted to Delhi, where she started playing for the Delhi Blind Women’s Cricket Team while continuing her studies. There, she took the sport more seriously.
“I started taking cricket seriously just a year ago after I moved to Delhi. While representing the Delhi Blind Women’s Cricket Team, we played several tournaments against different state teams. I also participated in national-level events and performed really well,” she said.
Anekha was born with B2-level visual impairment, but her family never allowed her to see it as a limitation. Her father, Bachitar Singh, is a daily wager in the Power Development Department, while her mother is a homemaker. As the eldest of four siblings, she credits her family’s unwavering support for her success. Looking ahead, Anekha aspires to become a catalyst for change in her home state.
“Every girl cannot go far from home to fulfill her dreams. My aim is to encourage young girls in J&K to take up blind cricket and eventually form our own women’s team,” she said.
Renowned sports administrator Ranjeet Kalra, who has been closely associated with the blind cricket movement in J&K, congratulated Anekha on her selection. “It’s a matter of great pride that one of our women players from J&K has been selected to play for India. However, much more needs to be done for the promotion of blind and specially-abled cricket formats. We need to bring these into the regular sports calendar of J&K and support these athletes with better infrastructure, coaching, equipment, and travel facilities,” he added.
Ajay Kumar- General Secretary, Cricket Association for Blind J&K, expressed pride over Anekha’s selection. “It’s a great achievement not just for Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire North India. Anekha is a talented girl-she just needed a proper platform. Since there’s no women’s blind cricket team in J&K-we’ve only had a men’s team since 2014-we helped shift her to Delhi where she continued her education while representing the Delhi team. Based on her consistent performance in recent tournaments, she caught the attention of national selectors.”
“We are grateful to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled for their support. However, we urge the UT Government of J&K to come forward and extend help, as we have received no assistance from them so far,” he stated.
MLA Bani, Dr. Rameshwar Singh, while speaking to Excelsior, said that Anekha Devi’s selection to the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team is a matter of great pride for the people of Bani and the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “Anekha comes from a very humble background, living in a kachha house in a remote area of Kathua district. Before playing cricket, she was an accomplished Judo player, having won medals on several occasions. I raised her case during the recent Assembly Session, requesting financial assistance for her, as she has brought glory to the UT. It is indeed a proud moment for all of us. When she returns, we will ensure she is given a warm and rousing reception for her remarkable achievement,” he added.
Anekha Devi’s story is a powerful testament to perseverance, talent and the impact of timely guidance. As she prepares to represent India on the world stage, she also lights the way for countless visually impaired girls from rural and underserved areas to dream big and achieve even bigger.
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