Deaf Defenders Emerge Champions at 10th Usha Divyang Indian Cricket League 2024
Deaf Defenders won the finals against Empower Eagles by 8 runs in the hearing-impaired category
Jalandhar : The Punjab Armed Police Grounds witnessed the finale of the 10th Usha Divyang Indian Cricket League today in the presence of Chief Guest Himanshu Aggarwal IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, Guest of Honour Aman Mittal, Vice President, Lovely Professional University and a very supportive audience that cheered the players on the field.
Deaf Defenders won the finals against Empower Eagles by 8 runs in the hearing-impaired category. The champions won the toss and chose to bat first. The finale match in the visually-impaired category saw Courageous Tigers win against Special Kings.
While Viraj Kolte was announced as Man of the Match scoring 82 runs off 43 balls, Lokesh Rohatgi, from Deaf Defenders, became the Man of the Tournament scoring 226 runs and taking 17 wickets across the League. As a prize, Lokesh won a Bajaj Platina Bike.
Organized by Usha International in association with the Deaf Cricket Federation, over 120 differently-abled cricketers (90 hearing-impaired and 30 visually-impaired) including international players from Sri Lanka and Nepal, participated in the 3-day 10th Usha Divyang Indian Cricket League 2024. The six teams in the hearing-impaired category included Sign Smashers, Deaf Defenders, Unity Tigers, Divyang Warriors, Empower Deaf Eagles, Deaf Diving Strikers, while the two teams in the visually-impaired category were Special Kings and Courageous Tigers.
There was no match fee or participants’ fee as the aim is to ensure continued involvement in the Divyang Indian Cricket League to encourage inclusivity in sports.
| Category | Winner Team
Cash Prize- INR 50,000 |
Runners Up
Cash Prize- INR 25,000 |
Man of Match |
| Hearing Impaired | Deaf Defenders | Empower Eagles | Viraj Kolte |
| Category | Winner Team
Cash Prize- INR 31,000 |
Runners Up
Cash Prize- INR 11,000 |
| Visually Impaired | Courageous Tigers | Special Kings |
Komal Mehra, Head – Sports Initiatives & Associations at Usha International said, “Each participant in this League has overcome everyday challenges to make it to this stage. The Divyang Indian Cricket League is among the most inspiring platforms, showcasing extraordinary talent and unwavering spirit. More than just a sporting event, it’s a celebration of life, of active and healthy living, perfectly aligned with Usha’s core values. It stands as a testament to how inclusivity in sports can transform lives. We believe this association will inspire many more to create inclusive opportunities and encourage greater participation in sports.”