BCCI forms committee for differently abled cricketers

The BCCI has formed a committee for the differently abled cricketers of the country, paving the way for them to play under the Board's aegis.

In April this year, the BCCI Apex Council had decided recognise the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) as the only body to promote cricket among physically challenged, deaf, blind and wheelchair participants.

Now, the Board has gone a step further, providing the differently abled cricketers anther major boost.

"Yes, we have formally formed a committee that will look after cricket for the physically challenged. It's now a sub committee of BCCI. So the Indian disability team will now play under aegis of BCCI," a BCCI official told PTI on Monday.

Following the meetings with BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah in November last year, blind cricket alongside deaf cricket, wheelchair cricket and differently-abled cricket have come together to form DCCI – Differently Abled Cricket Council of India.

Members of the newly-formed body were invited by the BCCI for the Indian Premier League 2021 opener between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Chennai.

The move, among others, was lauded by Indian women's ODI and Test teams captain Mithali Raj and also the DCCI.

"We, the DCCI, are grateful to @JayShah @SGanguly99 @ThakurArunS and to all the esteemed state and affiliated units of the BCCI for forming the Differently Abled cricket committee. It's the first time the @BCCI has recognised disability cricketers and taken us in their wings," the DCCI tweeted.

We, the DCCI, are grateful to @JayShah @SGanguly99 @ThakurArunS and to all the esteemed state and affiliated units of the BCCI for forming the Differently Abled cricket committee. It's the first time the @BCCI has recognised disability cricketers and taken us in their wings. pic.twitter.com/fWDydTKD9V

— Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (@dcciofficial) December 8, 2021

In appreciation of the BCCI move, Mithali wrote in her post, "Kudos to @BCCI for such an inspirational & historic decision."

(With inputs from PTI)