
India-Sri Lanka Physical Disability T20 series marks historic milestone for inclusive cricket
Bengaluru (Karnataka)[India], April 28 (ANI): In a landmark moment for inclusive sports in India, the pan-disability Indian Cricket Team was officially announced in Monday's press conference in Bengaluru. The spirit of cricket takes a powerful and inclusive leap forward as the India vs Sri Lanka Physical Disability (Standing) T20 Cricket Series prepares to kick off at the Kini Sports Arena, Bengaluru, from April 29 to May 5.
This first-of-its-kind bilateral series marks a significant moment in the evolution of adaptive sports in South Asia, spotlighting athletes who personify determination, skill, and perseverance.
Organized under the guidance of the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), this prestigious series brings together two cricket-loving nations to celebrate the unyielding human spirit and athletic excellence of physically disabled cricketers. Wilspoke Sports and Entertainment proudly hosts this landmark event, reinforcing its commitment to fostering inclusive platforms in the sporting world.
This T20 series will feature elite athletes with physical disabilities (standing category) representing India and Sri Lanka in a multi-match format. The competition promises to be both fierce and inspiring, offering fans a compelling display of high-level cricket driven by unmatched resilience.
'It's a privilege to be part of this historic series, representing our nation on such a meaningful platform. This is more than just cricket--it's a celebration of resilience, inclusion, and the power of sport to unite. I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ravi Kant Chauhan and Squadron Leader Abhai Pratap Singh for their incredible efforts in bringing Wilspoke on board and making this series possible. I also want to thank Sri Jay Shah for his invaluable support throughout our journey. We're ready, focused, and proud to wear the Indian jersey,' Ravindra Sante, Indian Captain, said in today's press conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Ravi Kant Chauhan, Secretary of the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India, shared his sentiments:
'It gives me immense pride to witness the historic India-Sri Lanka Bilateral T20 Series for cricketers with physical disability (standing) being hosted by Wilspoke at the Kini Sports Arena, Bengaluru. This remarkable event stands as a beacon of resilience, perseverance, and the unifying power of sport. It reflects the limitless spirit of athletes who, through their passion and determination, inspire millions. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the organisers and participating teams and wish for a successful, memorable series that will leave a lasting legacy for the future of inclusive sports.'
The matches will serve not only as a competitive platform but also as a celebration of ability, unity, and sportsmanship. By promoting representation and accessibility in cricket, the series aims to drive lasting change and open up new possibilities for aspiring cricketers with disabilities.
Sqn Ldr. Abhai Pratap Singh (Retd.) Joint secy - DCCI 'As someone who navigates the world with a wheelchair, I deeply understand the transformative power of sports for people with disabilities. The India-Sri Lanka Bilateral T20 Series for cricketers with physical disabilities is more than just a tournament -- it's a celebration of resilience, determination, and the unbreakable human spirit. This milestone event highlights the incredible talent and courage of athletes who challenge perceptions and inspire us all. I commend Wilspoke for their vision and dedication in hosting this historic series at Kini Sports Arena, Bengaluru. I wish all the athletes the very best. May this tournament strengthen the bonds between our nations, and may it inspire countless individuals with disabilities to believe in their abilities, chase their dreams, and realise that nothing is impossible.'
Nishanth AJ, Founder and CEO of Wilspoke Sports and Entertainment, shared his thoughts: 'We are honoured to be part of this transformative event. At Wilspoke, we believe in the power of sports to unite and inspire. This series is a step towards making cricket truly inclusive, ensuring that every talented athlete gets the platform they deserve.'
Cricket enthusiasts, corporate sponsors, and sports governing bodies are encouraged to join this transformative initiative as excitement builds. The India vs Sri Lanka Physical Disability T20 Series is more than just a tournament--it is a movement toward equality and empowerment in sports. (ANI)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
31 minutes ago
- India.com
Sachin Tendulkar Never Used ‘God', Virat Kohli Didn't Write ‘King': Fans Troll Shubman Gill For ‘Prince' Bat Sticker
Shubman Gill is all set to lead India in the upcoming Test series against England starting June 2025, but his captaincy debut is already making headlines—not for cricket, but for his bat sticker. Fans spotted the word 'Prince' written below the MRF Genius logo on his bat and began trolling the young star on social media. Carrying A Legendary Legacy Gill is the latest batter to sign a bat sponsorship deal with MRF, a brand that has been associated with cricketing greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, AB de Villiers, and Virat Kohli. These icons proudly carried the Genius sticker on their bats but never added any personal nickname. So when Gill's bat was seen carrying the word "Prince" along with "MRF Genius", many fans felt it was too bold, especially before proving himself fully in Test cricket. Why 'Prince' Is Causing A Stir The Overhyped "Prince" of Indian Cricket Shubman Gill is so self-obsessed. Who even called you the Prince? A so-called 'Prince of ICT with a poor SENA record, a below 35 Test average, and zero overseas centuries across all formats after 5 years in his international career. — Niik (@Niiki099) June 11, 2025 The nickname 'Prince' was originally linked to Brian Lara, one of the greatest batters of all time. Over time, fans also started calling Gill 'Prince' as a sign of admiration and expectations. However, critics say that adding it to his bat sticker was a step too far. Fans pointed out that Tendulkar never used 'God' and Kohli never had 'King' written on their bats despite being globally known by those titles. Sachin Tendulkar never played with a bat that had "God" written over it and Virat Kohli never played with a bat that had "King" written over it. You get tags with your performances and the tags are given by the greats of the game and not from the social media. (@CricCrazyV) June 11, 2025 Not a New Addition, But Now Under Spotlight Interestingly, the word 'Prince' first appeared on Gill's bat during the IPL 2025 season, but it went largely unnoticed. It came into the spotlight recently after the BCCI released official team photos ahead of the England series. Fans zoomed in and spotted the sticker, triggering online discussions and mixed reactions. Despite the online trolling, Gill seems focused on the job. In his first address as captain, he encouraged his teammates to take every practice session seriously. "Let us play every ball with purpose... It's not about surviving but about discovering our game under pressure," Gill said. His calm and determined words suggest that he's aiming to make a strong start to his captaincy era. MRF, in its statement earlier this year, praised Gill as the right man to carry forward the legacy of batting excellence. "With legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Brian Lara having graced the iconic MRF bat, Shubman Gill now carries forward this tradition," the brand said. Upcoming England Series Big Test For Shubhman Gill The upcoming five-match Test series against England will be played from June to August 2025 at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's, The Oval (London), and Old Trafford (Manchester). It will be a huge opportunity for Gill to prove his leadership skills and silence the critics.


NDTV
37 minutes ago
- NDTV
'Prince' Shubman Gill's Act With MRF Bat Triggers Huge Storm Ahead Of England Tests
Shubman Gill has been appointed as India's new Test captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. The Indian squad will face England in a five-match Test series starting June 20, 2025. Fans have criticised Gill for labeling his bat with the nickname "Prince," unlike past stars. India's newly-appointed Test skipper, Shubman Gills, gears up for a new adventure as he leads a young bunch of players in a 5-match series against England. Gill, who takes over the team's leadership responsibilities from Rohit Sharma, who has now retired from Test cricket, was spotted in a few customary photo sessions ahead of the start of the series. In the pictures of the shoot that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared on social media, the word 'price' could be seen written alongside the MRF logo on the bat. The 'Prince' engraving on the bat, however, hasn't gone down well with fans, with Gill being labelled a 'self-obsessed cricketer'. Gill got the 'Prince' tag from fans, much like Virat Kohli is called 'King' and Sachin Tendulkar 'God'. But, neither Kohli nor Tendulkar ever used these fan-given tags on their bats. Here are some reactions by fans: The Overhyped "Prince" of Indian Cricket Shubman Gill is so self-obsessed. Who even called you the Prince? A so-called 'Prince of ICT with a poor SENA record, a below 35 Test average, and zero overseas centuries across all formats after 5 years in his international career. — Niik (@Niiki099) June 11, 2025 Self Claimed Prince Gill became Captain and starts lobbying. — abhay singh (@abhaysingh_13) June 12, 2025 Prince — Naveen lucky (@Vk18_oneeight) June 11, 2025 Since arriving in England last week, Gill has been putting in the hard yards. He has faced the searing pace of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. Arshdeep Singh, one of the members of India's fast bowling quartet, was quick to note that the Test captain appeared to be in "good touch". Days after his appointment, Gill revealed that he is "overwhelmed" by the emotions and said in a video posted by the BCCI, "As a young kid, when anyone starts playing cricket, they want to play for India, and not just play for India, but play test cricket for India for a very long time. To be able to get this opportunity is a great honour. And like you said, it is a big responsibility." The five-test tour of England, starting June 20 at Leeds and lasting until August 2025. With India lining up without its batting bigwigs Rohit and Virat following their retirement from the game's longest format, the onus lies on the Shubman-led revamped side to prove itself away from home in testing and gruelling English conditions. The series will be held from June to August 2025, with matches scheduled at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Lavinia Hansraj: Women have to take care of themselves, stay strong and fit
Lavinia Hansraj received the Abdul Kalam Puraskar Award 2025 for her achievements in Athletics. She represented India at the Masters of Athletics competitions, inspiring women over 30 to prioritise fitness. Fitness enthusiast and athlete Lavinia Hansraj, wife of actor Chetan Hansraj , was recently honoured with the Abdul Kalam Puraskar Award 2025 in the field of Athletics. Representing India at the Masters of Athletics competitions, recognised under the Athletes – Women category, Lavinia was awarded for representing India internationally and for inspiring women over 30 to stay active. Sharing her pride in receiving the award on May 30, Lavinia says, 'This award is given to those who've made India proud—doctors, lawyers, NGOs, philanthropists. I was selected to represent India in different countries as a female athlete, especially over the age of 30. It was a very proud moment.' She hopes her journey motivates other women to take fitness seriously post-marriage. 'Most Indian women, once they get married and have kids, feel it's the end. But it's not. Women have to take care of themselves, stay strong and fit—not just for themselves, but for their family. I train many women who are athletes or just want to be fit. I feel happy that I can do that." Her journey began with a love for running. 'When I started, I knew I had it in me. I said, if I can go after my dream, anyone can. It's hard work, yes—but if you make time for yourself, commit to it, you can do it.' Lavinia adds that while her son is following in her fitness footsteps, 'I keep pushing Chetan, and he does work out, but I need to push him on his busy days. Our son is very much into fitness,' she says.