In the finals of third visually impaired challenger National Cricket Competition organised at Doon School on Sunday, the India Orange team defeated India Blue to win the trophy. The national tournament was organised under aegis of Blind Cricket Association (BCA). In the finals the Captain of India Blue team (IB) won the toss and invited India Orange (IO) to bat first.
The batsmen of IO capitalised on the opportunity and scored 246 at the loss of five wickets in the twenty over match. Ranbir top scored with 117 runs with Hanuman Punia chipping in with useful 94 runs. In their reply IB could manage 225 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs with Ashish Negi top scoring with 87 runs. Rambir of IO stifled the batsman of IB as he took three wickets in four overs and was declared man of match in B 2 category. Jeeshan Haider was man of Match in B 1 category. He was also declared man of series in the same category while Rambir and Ashish Negi were awarded man of the series trophy in B 2 and B 3 categories respectively.
It is pertinent to mention here that the players in a blind cricket match are divided into three groups depending on their visual impairment. In B-1 category totally blind players are included, in B-2 category players with 2/60 vision and in B-3 category players with 3/60 vision are included. In a team, four players each of B-1 and B-3 category are included while three players of B-2 category form part of the team.
Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony the Media advisor to Chief Minister Harish Rawat praised the efforts of BCA for promoting cricket among visually impaired. He promised that the state government would help the BCA in its endeavor. A financial help of Rs1 lakh was given to the association by the state government last year.