India clinch 5-0 series victory over Sri Lanka in PD Deepaka Lohia Memorial Trophy 2025
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Jaipur: The Indian Physical Disability Cricket team concluded a dominant run in the
PD Deepaka Lohia Memorial Trophy 2025
with a clean 5-0 series win against Sri Lanka, in a tournament that highlighted not just competitive excellence, but the spirit of inclusivity and the growing stature of disability sports in South Asia.
Jointly organised by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and Wilspoke Sports and Entertainment, the series was played at Kini Cricket Ground, Bengaluru from April 26 to May 5, drawing strong support from players, partners, spectators, and disability rights advocates.
In the fifth and final match held in Bengaluru on Monday, India won the toss and opted to bat, setting a mammoth target of 191 for 5 in 20 overs. The Indian batters displayed remarkable composure and flair, giving the home side complete control.
Chasing a daunting target of 192, Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 88 in 15.1 overs, wrapping up a commanding victory. Narendra Mangore was named man-of-the-match for his outstanding performance in the final.
Indian captain Ravindra Sante was adjudged man-of-the-series for his consistent contributions throughout the tournament. Jaipur-based Rohit Jhalani accompanied the Indian team as a head coach for the entire tournament.
The winning Indian side received a cash prize of Rs 2,00,000, while the Sri Lankan team was awarded Rs 50,000, along with trophies in recognition of their commendable participation.
The closing ceremony was graced by Dhruv Prabhakar, Isha Prabhakar, and Vikram Singh (Head of Marketing) from Gopalan Group, along with Nishanth AJ (Founder & CEO – Wilspoke Sports and Entertainment). Their presence at the final was a reflection of growing corporate enthusiasm toward supporting differently abled athletes and inclusive sporting platforms.
Ravi Kant Chauhan, General Secretary – DCCI, remarked: "This clean sweep is a proud moment for Indian disability cricket. Our players have shown the country what true grit and discipline look like. This victory is not just a series win—it's a step forward in making disability sports part of mainstream sporting culture."
Sqd. Ldr. Abhai Pratap Singh, Joint Secretary – DCCI, added: "The PD Deepaka Lohia Memorial Trophy stands as a symbol of opportunity, equality, and excellence. This series has reinforced that athletes with disabilities deserve equal platforms, and our team has once again made the nation proud. We thank Sri Lanka for their spirit and sportsmanship."
Nishanth AJ, Founder & CEO – Wilspoke Sports and Entertainment, shared: "At Wilspoke, we believe sport is a universal language that must include everyone. This series has been a testament to the talent and emotion that PD sport carries. We're honoured to have been part of this historic initiative and will continue pushing boundaries for inclusive sports in India."
This tournament not only demonstrated the rising standards of physical disability cricket in the region but also emphasized the importance of partnerships between federations, corporates, and community stakeholders in driving forward the inclusivity agenda.
As the PD Deepaka Lohia Memorial Trophy 2025 concludes, the message echoes loud and clear: Disability is not inability—and these athletes are here to inspire, compete, and lead.
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