Odisha’s Phula Soren Appointed Vice-Captain Of India’s Blind Women Cricket Team

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Phula Soren has been appointed as the vice-captain of India’s blind women cricket team that will participate in Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Games 2023 to be played in Birmingham, UK.

The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) on Thursday announced the captains of the Indian Blind Cricket teams for men and women) that will represent the country in the World Games.

According to the announcement, Varsha Umapathi (B1 Category) from Karnataka will lead the women’s cricket team while Phula Soren (B3 Category) will be the vice-captain.

Ajay Kumar Reddy Illuri (B2 Category) will captain the men’s team while Venkateswara Rao Dunna (B2 Category) will be his deputy in the tournament. Both players are from Andhra Pradesh.

CABI Chairman Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar said this is the first tournament where both men’s and women’s teams will take part in the World Games. “The men’s team for the blind has won 3 T20 World Cups, 2 ODI World Cups and an Asia Cup in the last 10 years. It is now the turn of the women’s team along with the men’s team to keep the country’s flag flying high in Birmingham,” a news agency quoted him as saying.

The jerseys for both men’s and women’s teams were also released on the occasion. The World Games are scheduled to be held from August 18 to August 27. The blind cricket has been included in the World Games for the first time.