‘India winning everywhere’ – Fans react as India women’s blind cricket team wins gold in IBSA World Games

In a historic moment for India, the women’s blind cricket team won their first-ever International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Games in Birmingham on Saturday (August 26). In a rain-interrupted summit clash, the Indian women’s team thrashed Australia by nine wickets via the DLS method to clinch the gold medal, befitting their dominant campaign throughout the tournament.

Batting first, Australia managed to score only 114 runs for eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs. The Women in Yellow got off to a poor start as they lost their first wicket in the fourth over. The Indian bowlers reduced them to 29 runs in the powerplay and took two wickets in the eighth and ninth overs to leave Australia in trouble.

However, middle-order batter C. Lewis (29 runs off 28 balls) and C. Webeck (30 runs off 26 balls) carried Australia’s innings, stitching a crucial 54-run partnership. But India soon regained control, picking up wickets at regular intervals, and eventually bowled them out for a paltry score. While Deepika, Davis and Tudu took one wicket each, the remaining five wickets were run-out dismissals.

Meanwhile, rain interrupted play during India’s chasing innings. The Women in Blue lost opener Neelappa for eight runs but Deepika scored 18* off 11 balls to take the team score to 43 runs in 3.3 overs before rain stopped the play. However, as per the DLS rule, India were ahead in the run chase and hence won the game by nine wickets and wrote their name in the history books.

India Women remain unbeaten as they won all their league matches in the tournament. This is the first time cricket is included in the IBSA World Games. Interestingly, India’s men’s and women’s blind teams reached the finals. When the Men in Blue take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the summit clash on Saturday, their aim will be to avenge their previous defeat. Pakistan defeated India by 18 runs in the opening match of the season.

Here’s how fans reacted to the India Women’s Blind Cricket Team’s win in the IBSA World Games:

https://twitter.com/JadhavManju14/status/1695433441163260369

https://twitter.com/bala45_rohit/status/1695442397524881902

https://twitter.com/TDINESHVJ1/status/1695432645394739605

https://twitter.com/Talk2Rinki/status/1695449643587666038

https://twitter.com/WasiyullahB/status/1695432055348490720

https://twitter.com/Aash_prajapati/status/1695432231106519099

Congratulations to all the girls.. They made us proud..

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) August 26, 2023

https://twitter.com/iNabab7/status/1695443892970398043