CABI Plans 6th Nagesh Trophy for Blind Cricket in India, Nov 2023 – Jan 2024

The Cricket Association for Blind in India (CABI), in partnership with the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, recently announced the upcoming 6th edition of the Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind, also known as the Nagesh Trophy. This exciting event is scheduled to take place from November 25, 2023, to January 30, 2024.

The tournament’s league matches are set to be held at seven different venues: Jammu, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Kochi (Kerala), Chandigarh, Tripura, and Kota (Rajasthan). The location for the Super 8 stage will be determined soon.

A total of 28 teams, consisting of states and union territories, as well as a team representing the Indian Railways, made up of visually impaired railway employees, will participate in this T20 format tournament. The teams will compete on a round-robin league basis.

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The 28 teams have been divided into 6 groups based on their rankings from the previous year. The first 4 groups each consist of 5 teams, while the remaining 2 groups each have 4 teams.

Dr. Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season and the opportunity it provides to discover emerging talent for the Indian team. He extended his gratitude to IndusInd Bank for their unwavering support in promoting cricket for the visually impaired. Dr. Kivadasannavar also highlighted that this edition marks the beginning of preparations for the 4th T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind, scheduled for 2024 in Pakistan.

Buse Gowda, President of CABI, reflected on the growth and learning experiences of the past 5 editions of the tournament. He and his team are determined to infuse new energy into the Nagesh Trophy, aiming to reach millions of cricket enthusiasts across India.

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Yogesh Taneja, Chairman of the Nagesh Trophy, emphasized the importance of promoting blind cricket at the grassroots level. He sees the National Tournament as a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing the best emerging talent to represent India in future tournaments.

The 5th edition of the tournament ended with joint winners, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, due to rain. Odisha has previously won the Nationals, while Andhra Pradesh has emerged victorious in the finals of the tournament three times.

General Secretary of CABI, Mr. Shailender, highlighted the organization’s commitment to overcoming challenges and difficulties to prioritize the promotion of Cricket for the Blind. Every game played is an opportunity to make the country proud in various capacities.