Players want to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convey their issues and struggle – Ajay Kumar Reddy, Captain, Team India (Blind Cricket)

The whole team wants to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and convey our challenges to him. We have lot of respect and hope from the the Prime Minister. We want to convey our issues and struggle with him. We have won five World Cup titles (3-T20Is and 2-ODIs). Despite bringing so many laurels to the nation, we are not getting required support from the government and the BCCI, says Ajay Kumar Reddy, captain of the Indian cricket team (blind).

Team India (blind) clinched its third consecutive T20 World Cup title in Blind Cricket by outplaying Bangladesh by 120 runs in the summit-clash of the 2022 edition, courtesy of brilliant centuries from Sunil Ramesh and captain Ajay Kumar Reddy, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Notably, Team India remained unbeaten in the course of winning the title.

While speaking to The Quotes, Mr. Reddy claimed that he had earlier told Prime Minister about the struggle being faced by the players.

“Players playing domestic tournament is paid more than us. We are paid just Rs. 3,000 for every international game. Our families are experiencing tough times, but for the sake of passion we are still playing the game. 12 players in the team are unemployed. We have been told that Sports Ministry will reward us with just Rs. 5 Lakh. The amount is too less when the team has clinched the title for third successive time. This is not enough to boost the moral of players. This is high time our efforts must be taken seriously, and our success must be acknowledged,” adds Mr. Reddy.

Ajay Reddy, who is also a deputy manager of the State Bank of India in Hyderabad, expressed his gratitude towards SBI for its constant support and backing. “SBI has always motivated me and allowed me to pursue my passion. They provided me much needed equipment when I could not even afford it,” informed Mr. Reddy.

Ajay Kumar Reddy, along with Prakash Jayaramaiah and D. Venkateshwara Rao, has played five World Cups and won all of them.

“We have put India on the world map in terms of blind cricket. We are equally talented as players in other categories. After years of struggle, BCCI acknowledged women’s cricket and started providing them with all the required assistance. They should start recognising our efforts as well,” concludes the Indian skipper.

Speaking of the T20 World Cup final, Sunil Ramesh and Ajay Reddy stitched 248-run stand for the third wickets to the final score to a mammoth 277 in the 20 overs. Sunil added 136 off 63 balls with the help of 24 boundaries and one maximum, while Ajay scored 100 off just 50 balls that consisted of 18 boundaries.

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In response, Bangladesh batters started off well but Indian bowlers bowled with discipline and restricted the opponents at 157/3 by the end of 20 overs. Bangladesh batter Salman remained unbeaten at 77 off 65 deliveries and finished the tournament with 425 from 7 innings.

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