Indian women’s team became champion by defeating Nepal in the final of Visually Impaired Women’s T20 World Cup 2025. Nepal had set a target of 115 runs for India to win in the final, chasing which India won by 7 wickets in the 13th over. Deepika Gaonkar, who led the champion team, told that when she was 5 months old, she lost her eyesight due to rubbing her own nails. His family was poor, and after such an incident his life became even more challenging. While narrating the story of his struggle, he said that it was difficult for us to even arrange for one meal. She said that she wants to meet Virat Kohli once.

Deepika Gaonkar while talking to Dainik Jagran said, ‘I come from a small village in Shira taluka of Tumkur district of Karnataka. When I was 5 months old, I rubbed my nail in my eye. Due to this I lost my eyesight. When my parents took me to the hospital, they sent me back saying that I should bring the child when she turns 11 years old because being a small child, the infection can spread. My family was poor, even getting one meal was a big deal for us. And when my parents took me to the doctor, they told that he had lost his eyesight.

Children used to make fun of me- Deepika

Deepika further told that the doctors asked for the option but also told that even after the operation, there is no guarantee of regaining the eyesight. She told that she studied with normal children from class 1 to 4, but when she went to play, the children used to make fun of her. She said, “Children used to say that you are blind and cannot play with us. From 5th to 7th, I studied in Kunikal Blind School, after that I studied in Mysuru school till 10th. There I came to know about blind cricket and started playing.”

Deepika Gaonkar works in Income Tax Department

Deepika Gaonkar told that she scored a century in the state level match. She told that when she had to go to Bengaluru to give trials for selection in the visually impaired national women’s team, she did not have money, so one of her brothers helped her. She said, “A brother helped me in Kunikal School. He said that you should prepare to go to Bangalore and do not think about the expenses. I got selected, but my parents were not ready for it. Then Shikha Maidan explained and they agreed. After this, I have been continuously playing in the national team, I am the captain of the Karnataka team. I work in the Income Tax Department in Mumbai, everyone in my office supports me.

Deepika Gaonkar wants to meet Virat Kohli

Deepika told that now her parents watch the match. He told that his father likes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. She likes Virat Kohli and tries to play aggressively like him. She said, “I have not met Virat Kohli but I pray to God to meet him once. Among women cricketers, I like Smriti Mandhana.”

A big change has been made before the women Blind T20 World Cup 2025 to be held for the first time. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, has now been removed. The reason for this was the political instability and recent violent performance in Nepal.

This historic tournament will be played in India from 11 to 25 November, in which teams from seven countries will participate – Australia, England, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and America. A total of 21 league matches, two semi -finals and final matches will be played in this tournament.

Why was Nepal’s venue removed?

The tournament was to be held in New Delhi and Bangalore under the earlier scheme, but in view of the political tension between India and Pakistan, Kathmandu was made a neutral venue for Pakistan’s matches so that Pakistan could also participate in this tournament.

Now, due to the deteriorating situation, the Indian Visual Cricket Association (CABI) announced that it is not safe to hold the match there due to the violent demonstrations in Nepal. In such a situation, the new second neutral venue for Pakistan’s matches will be decided soon.

Indian team preparations

India is a host in this tournament as well as a strong contender. The Indian women’s blind team won the gold medal at the IBSA World Games held in 2023 last year. At that time, there was also a debut of blind cricket. In the final of the tournament, India had shook Australia.

After the discovery of 56 players from across the country in the Indian team, a 16 -member squad has been selected. Deepika TC of Karnataka has been made captain and Ganga S Kadam of Maharashtra has been made the vice -captain.

Indian women’s squad

B1 category – Simu Das (Delhi), P. Karuna Kumari (Andhra Pradesh), Anu Kumari (Bihar), Jamuna Rani Tudu (Odisha), Kavya V (Karnataka).

B2 category – Anekha Devi (Delhi), Basanti Hansda (Odisha), Simranjit Kaur (Rajasthan), Sunita Sarathe (Madhya Pradesh), Parvati Marandi (Odisha).

B3 category – Deepika TC (Karnataka – Captain), Phoola Soren (Odisha), Ganga S Kadam (Maharashtra), Kavya NR (Karnataka), Sushma Patel (Madhya Pradesh), Durga Yevale (Madhya Pradesh).