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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Punjab wheelchair cricketer Vikram dies of cardiac arrest on board a train; he was 39
A wheelchair cricketer from Punjab died of a cardiac arrest near Mathura junction early on Wednesday, on board a train he was travelling from Ludhiana to Gwalior, officials said. Vikram (39) was part of the Punjab wheelchair cricket team that was going to compete in the seventh Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Memorial T-10 Championship being organised by the Madhya Pradesh Wheelchair Cricket Association in Gwalior from June 5. The cricketer, who hailed from Pohir village near Ahmedgarh of Punjab's Malerkotla district, had complained of uneasiness when the train was crossing Delhi. Later his health deteriorated and he was declared dead by railway authorities upon arrival at Mathura Junction railway station. 'In 2020, Vikram was selected for the Indian wheelchair cricket team for a Bangladesh series, which was cancelled due to Covid-19. That was the only time he got close to realising his dream of playing for India. Later, he played in inter-zonal and other national tournaments. Unfortunately, we lost Vikram,' said Somjeet Singh Gaur, captain of the Indian Wheelchair cricket team. Vikram had started playing wheelchair cricket in the last decade. The four associations of differently-abled cricket in India — Wheelchair Cricket India, Indian Deaf Cricket Association, Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India and Cricket Association for the Blind in India — come under one umbrella body Differently Abled Cricket Council of India under the guidance of BCCI secretary Jay Shah in 2021, players like Vikram would get to play in wheelchair cricket tournaments in India. The Punjab wheelchair cricketer played a vital role in Punjab's title win in the sixth edition of the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Memorial T-10 Championship last year. 'Vikram started playing wheelchair cricket in Ludhiana 8-9 years ago and would practice on his own and bear all expenses through whatever means he could get. Last year, he played an important role in the Punjab team winning the title in the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Memorial T-10 Championship. He was excited about playing in this edition too. When our train was crossing Delhi, he complained of a severe headache and was sweating profusely. We informed the Railways GRP personnel on the train. They told us that doctors would be available at Mathura station. Vikram slept. Later, the train waited for over an hour ahead of Mathura station and we lost Vikram. We informed his family and they will reach here soon to take his body back home. We are also returning to Punjab,' Vikram's teammate Raja told The Indian Express over the phone from Mathura. Ravi Chauhan, secretary of the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India, told The Indian Express that he received the information about Vikram's demise. 'Various national and international tournaments are organised by Wheel Chair Cricket India under DCCI, but several other tournaments are organised by state associations, too. This was one such tournament and it's unfortunate that we lost a valuable player,' Chauhan said. Squadron Leader (retd) Abhai Pratap Singh, president of Wheelchair Cricket India and joint secretary, DCCI, too expressed his sorrow at the loss of Vikram. 'While the Punjab chapter of Wheelchair Cricket India is yet to get a new body, players formed the Punjab team, which was going to compete in the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Memorial T-10 Championship. When we got the news of Vikram's demise, we informed our volunteers and officials in Mathura to assist the players. We will see what we can do for Vikram and also consult DCCI. Before any tournament, there are medical check-ups of every player and it was unfortunate that Vikram's health condition emerged before he reached Gwalior and he could not be saved,' he said. Gaur, meanwhile, urged the BCCI to undertake the DCCI. 'We urge the BCCI to undertake the DCCI directly and support the specially-abled players and associations so that such incidents can be avoided,' Gaur added. Nitin Sharma is an Assistant Editor with the sports team of The Indian Express. Based out of Chandigarh, Nitin works with the print sports desk while also breaking news stories for the online sports team. A Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award recipient for the year 2017 for his story 'Harmans of Moga', Nitin has also been a two-time recipient of the UNFPA-supported Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity for the years 2022 and 2023 respectively. Nitin mainly covers Olympics sports disciplines with his main interests in shooting, boxing, wrestling, athletics and much more. The last 17 years with The Indian Express has seen him unearthing stories across India from as far as Andaman and Nicobar to the North East. Nitin also covers cricket apart from women's cricket with a keen interest. Nitin has covered events like the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2017 AIBA World Youth Boxing Championships. An alumnus of School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, from where he completed his Masters in Mass Communications degree, Nitin has been an avid quizzer too. A Guru Nanak Dev University Colour holder, Nitin's interest in quizzing began in the town of Talwara Township, a small town near the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. When not reporting, Nitin's interests lie in discovering new treks in the mountains or spending time near the river Beas at his hometown. ... Read More


Time of India
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Physical Disability (Standing) T20 Series: VN Jithendra, Majid Magray, Narendra Mangore shine as India beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets to win series
Jaipur: VN Jithendra , Majid Magray, Narendra Mangore and skipper Ravindra Sante performed well as India defeated Sri Lanka by 3 wickets in the third match of the historic Physical Disability (Standing) T20 Cricket Series at Kini Sports Arena in Bengaluru on Friday. With this third successive victory, India won the five-match series 3-0. The remaining two matches will be played on the weekend. Batting first, Sri Lanka 139 were all out in 20 overs. Dulan Priyashantha was the top-scorer with 55. Narendra Mangore (3-21) and Ravindra Sante (2-21) bowled well for the hosts. Chasing a target of 140, India struggled but managed to cross the finish line with 3 balls and 3 wickets to spare. Jithendra VN slammed 51 off 42 balls studded with two fours and two sixes. Majid Magray supported him well with a 28-ball 38 inclusive of 4 boundaries. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson Shows Off Her Jaw-Dropping Figure - See Photos 33 Bridges Undo For his match-winning half-century, VN Jithendra was adjudged as player-of-the-match. Indian Physical Disability cricket team head coach Rohit Jhalani and the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India ( DCCI ) General Secretary Ravi Chauhan have lauded the efforts of the entire squad for back-to-back victories. Brief Scores Sri Lanka 139 all out in 20 overs (Dulan Priyashantha 55; Narendra Mangore 3-21, Ravindra Sante 2-21) lost to India 143/7 in 19.3 overs (VN Jithendra 51, Majid Magray 38; Udara Indrajith 3-17) by 3 wickets. Player-of-the-match: VN Jithendra.


India Gazette
28-04-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
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)