India's blind women cricketers chase history at first T20 World Cup

Most players come from underprivileged, rural backgrounds and learned the sport in the last few years.

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They come from villages, farming families and small-town hostels, with many learning the sport only in the past few years.

The T20 tournament - a six-team event featuring India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and the USA - began on 11 November in Delhi. After a few matches in Bengaluru, the venue for the knockouts has now moved to Sri Lanka's capital Colombo.

The 16-member Indian squad represents nine states - Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, Assam, and Bihar. Many players were introduced to the sport through schoolteachers, disability organisations, or community camps.

"Most of the players are from rural backgrounds," said team manager Shika Shetty. "Language and culture were barriers, families and teachers were often unwilling to let them pursue the sport, and even introducing the rules of blind cricket took time. But now they are all competing with pride."