Karnataka - Others   

They presented a few sparkling moments of cricket

Meera Srinivasan

Karnataka wins the `Nethrodaya Cricket Cup - cricket for the blind'

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE: Karnataka Blind Cricket Team beat Tamil Nadu Blind Cricket Team by ten wickets in the Nethrodaya Cricket Cup final played on IIT Campus at Guindy in Chennai on Sunday. Karnataka skipper Shekar Naik (right) who was unbeaten at 9 4 won the `Man of the series' award. — Photo : N. Sridharan

CHENNAI: "I have no regrets about missing the India-Pakistan match on television. This is one of the best matches I've ever seen," said Abhimanyu Deshpande, a student of IIT-Madras.

Abhimanyu was one of those who saw the Tamil Nadu versus Karnataka final of the `Nethrodaya Cricket Cup - cricket for the blind' on the IIT campus on Sunday.

The cricketers used a plastic ball with a steel ball bearing inside, so that the ball was heard when pitched on the track.

The Karnataka team, which won the toss and elected to field, won the final.

"Oh, their team was fantastic. They are national level players, so it was a little difficult competing with them. Moreover, we lost many of our practice sessions due to the rain. Next time, we'll surely beat them," said B. Venkatesan, captain of the Tamil Nadu team.

Third tournament

"This is our third tournament of the month. It feels great to be winning. We hope to be consistent in our performance," said K.N.Chandrasekar, coach of the Karnataka team.

C.Govindakrishnan, founder, Nethrodaya, who conceived the tournament said, "We need to sensitise our society. The visually impaired do not need anyone's sympathy. We need empathy. If we are provided with a user-friendly environment, we can lead normal lives."

He urged sports clubs to conduct such tournaments for the physically challenged on a regular basis.

Former Test cricketer V.V. Kumar said he got to see some brilliant moments of cricket. Sashikumar Menon, Chairman, Media Development Foundation, said, "The way cricket has penetrated into the psyche of India and other nations is remarkable," adding, he was very happy to participate in the unique event. Speaking about his love for the game, M.S. Ananth, Director, Institute of Technology, recalled watching the India-New Zealand match as a ten-year-old. "We were beginning to get bored as India were on 413 and hadn't lost a wicket till then. When Pankaj Roy got out, we all stood up and clapped," he said.

He also said that IIT would be willing to have such tournaments conducted on the campus.

J. Albert, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, said, "One is not handicapped unless one thinks one is. Watching these players is inspiring and very humbling."

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