History beckons as Indian Deaf Women’s Cricket team embarks on maiden Sri Lanka tour

New Delhi: History beckons for the Indian Deaf Women's Cricket Team as it leaves for its maiden international T20 tour of Sri Lanka this week. The landmark tour marks the team's international debut and represents a significant milestone for women's deaf cricket in India, paving the way for greater recognition and opportunities in the years ahead.

Ahead of the historic 5-Match T20 International Deaf Cricket Series the Indian team unveiled their jersey in New Delhi in the presence of Mr Sumit Jain, President, Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), and Mr. Sunny Singh, IAS DM, New Delhi (chief guest) and Guest of Honour – Mr. Ashok Sharma, Secretary – DDCA and Mr. Ravi Chauhan, Secretary – DCCI & Member, BCCI Differently Abled Cricket Committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Sumit Jain, President, Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) said, “This Sri Lanka tour is a defining chapter for Indian deaf cricket. For so many years, our women cricketers have trained and played away from the international spotlight, driven purely by love for the game of cricket. With this tour, they will walk onto the global stage as India’s ambassadors. IDCA has always believed in equal opportunity, and this tour proves that talent knows no boundaries. I congratulate all the players on this historic feat and for building a legacy for the next generation of deaf cricketers.”

Commenting about the landmark moment, former Indian Women’s Cricket team Captain Daina Edulji said, “It is a significant milestone for India that our hearing-impaired girls have got their first international call-up, Cricket belongs to everyone! You’ve broken barriers just by getting here and we all are very proud of you. I have personally witnessed your game as your chief guest, playing in Mumbai, the T 10 deaf tournament, the calibre & sportsmanship of these women players impressed me! Now it’s time to just go and show the world what Indian women cricketers can do on the field. Wishing you all, all the best, Jai Hind!”

Echoing their sentiment, Kajal Dhawan, Captain, Indian Women’s Deaf Cricket Team added, “This is a historic moment for us. Going to Sri Lanka for our first international T20 tour is not just about playing cricket, it’s about proving that hearing is not a barrier to passion, skill, or representing our country. Every player in this team has worked tirelessly and we will be carrying the hopes of every girl in India who dreams of wearing the blue jersey.”

The Indian Women’s Deaf Cricket Team will play a total on 5 T-20 matches at De Soysa Park International Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka from 7th July to 13th July 2026.

At the unveiling ceremony, IDCA also announced two major women’s cricket tournaments to be held in India: The Women’s Deaf T20I Tri-Series featuring India, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad & Tobago in March 2027, and the DICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Delhi in February 2028.

Indian Deaf Women’s Team:

Kajal Dhawan (Captain and Wicket Keeper), Needa Zabi Shaikh (Vice-Captain), Pratima Mishra (Wicket Keeper), Aakansha Kanasiya, Reddy Jyoshna, Dipti Rani Sahoo, Shraddha Vaishnav, Sangeetha, Sukanya K. S., Ruby Yadav, Chandani Khan, Priyanshi Dixit, D. Kanthamma, Priyanka Saini, Anjali.

Tags : Deaf, Cricket, Women, Sri Lanka, India