Jaipur, 30 November (HS). The Physically Disabled Challengers Trophy 2024 is being organized at the Jaipuria Cricket Academy in collaboration with Rajasthan Disabled Cricket Association (RDCA), Petroleum Sports Promotion Board and State Bank of India. 56 top disabled players from across the country are participating in this 4-day tournament which will run till December 3, who will fight for a place in the 20-member Indian National Physically Disabled Cricket Team.
During the inaugural match, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Singh Gehlot said that the Physically Disabled Challengers Trophy 2024 will pave the way for our disabled cricketers to play in the upcoming international physically challenged cricket tournament to be held in Sri Lanka in January 2025. This tournament is going to be an exciting display of talent, determination and sportsmanship. I salute their enthusiasm and spirit and congratulate them for this tournament and the future.
India-C defeated India-B by 4 wickets in the first innings of the first day of Physically Disabled Challengers Trophy 2024 to achieve its first win. The match was well controlled by the bowlers of both the teams, but in the end India C team outclassed its opponent.
After winning the toss, India C decided to bowl first. To bat in the first innings, India-B captain Kunal Phanse and Deependra Singh opened the innings for the team. They suffered a blow early on when Deepender Singh (13 runs) was dismissed by Nikhil Manhas at the score of just 50. Shanmugam returned to the pavilion without opening his account. At the end of the innings, captain Kunal Phansey scored 82 runs off 60 balls and Karan Chakotay scored 42 runs off 33 balls, helping his team post a total of 157/3 in 20 overs.
Chasing the target of 158, India-C’s Vijay Hadimani scored 43 runs off 33 balls. Vikramjeet led the innings and led the team to victory by remaining unbeaten on 52 runs in 32 balls. Vikramjeet was awarded the title of Player of the Match. Shanmugam was the best bowler, who took 3 wickets in this innings.
The second match of the first day was played between India-A and India-Senior. Playing first, India A scored 138/6. Playing for India-A, P.Victor faced 31 balls and scored unbeaten 44 runs. In response, India-Senior could only score 127/7 runs. India-A won by 11 runs.
The selected team of 20 members will represent India in the much-awaited Four Nations Quadrilateral Series to be held in Sri Lanka from 14 January 2025. In which teams from India, UK, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be included. The tournament is powered by Adore, Saras and Gayatri Industries and its supporting partners are Selmor, Roastway Foods, SEPL Infra, Aangan Child Clinic, Hunar Creative, Jaipuria Cricket Academy and Devanshi Jewellers.
The tournament is organized by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) and the Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India (PCCAI) under the auspices of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with RDCA as the host association.