New Delhi, January 07, 2025 : The Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) in collaboration with leading accessibility organization Svayam hosted a send-off ceremony for the Indian team selected to participate in the Physical Disabled Cricket Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from 12th – 21st January 2025. The event that was organized at The Imperial Hotel, Janpath, New Delhi was graced with the presence of Mr. Rohan Jaitley, President, DDCA, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson of Svayam, DCCI officials, players, and other dignitaries.
The Indian team, comprising 17 players, was finalized after a rigorous training camp in Jaipur led by Head Coach Rohit Jhalani, former Rajasthan Ranji Captain. The team will face strong international sides such as England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan during the tournament.
Mr. Ravikant Chauhan, General Secretary, DCCI, stated, “The team has been put together after a rigorous selection process. We are confident that this team will do well in the tournament and bring laurels to India. DCCI as an organisation has been nurturing differently-abled cricketers for many years and has always tried to provide a platform for emerging talent. In this team too there are some very talented cricketers, including two from Kashmir. This process of putting the team together has been made possible because of the support of our coaches, support staff and other stakeholders. I would like to take this opportunity to thank accessibility NGO Svayam which has been supporting DCCI for many years and is supporting the team even in this tournament. It is with this inclusive mindset that we can take differently-abled cricket forward.”
Captained by Vikrant Ravindra Keni, with Ravindra Gopinath Sante as vice-captain, both hailing from Mumbai, Team India includes wicketkeepers Yogender Singh from Madhya Pradesh and Devendra Singh from Uttar Pradesh. Other key players are Akhil Reddy from Andhra Pradesh, Radhika Prasad from Uttar Pradesh, Akash Anil Patil from Mumbai, Sunny Goyat and Pawan Kumar from Haryana, Jithendra, Narendra, and Rajesh from Karnataka, Nikhil Manhas, Amir Hassan, and Majid Magray from Jammu & Kashmir, Kunal Dattatray Phanase from Maharashtra, and Surendra from Rajasthan. The reserves include Jaswant Singh from Rajasthan, Sadiq from Delhi, and GS Shivashankara from Karnataka.
The team will be backed by an experienced coaching and support staff, including Head Coach Rohit Jhalani, Strength and Conditioning Coach Ramswaroop Saini, Assistant Coach Ravindra Patil, Fielding Coach Rohit Sharma, Video Analyst Sanket Khedkar, and Physiotherapist Mayank Pushkar.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rohan Jaitley, President, DDCA, said, “I congratulate the cricketers who have been selected for the Indian team to represent the country at the PD Champions Trophy in Srilanka. Each athletes has worked very hard to secure a berth in the team and therefore I urge all the athletes to enjoy the journey and I am sure they will also win the cup in the process. I would also like to congratulate Svayam for their support to the team and the work that they do for accessibility in India.”
In India, where cricket is a national passion, ensuring accessibility in sports is essential for fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities for all. People with reduced physical mobilities often face significant barriers to participation in sports, ranging from lack of adapted infrastructure to limited training resources. By enhancing accessibility, particularly in cricket, we can empower cricketers with reduced mobilities, promote diversity in sports, and create a more inclusive sporting culture.
Highlighting the need for accessibility and inclusivity in sports, Ms. Sminu Jindal, Founder-Chairperson of Svayam, said, “It fills me with immense pride to witness these exceptional athletes representing India on a prestigious global stage. Partnering with DCCI for the 2025 Physically Disabled Cricket Champions Trophy is a testament to our commitment towards – accessibility in sports.
For over 25 years, we have been dedicated to advocating for accessible built environments and transportation systems for individuals with reduced mobility. By advancing accessibility, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of physical limitations.
This sponsorship reflects our unwavering mission to integrate accessibility into every aspect of life, including sports. We wish Team India the very best for their upcoming matches and look forward to strengthening India’s global leadership in para-sports.”
