India Women's Deaf Cricket Team Starts Historic Sri Lanka T20 Tour

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Wednesday, 8 July 2026

India's Women's Deaf Cricket Team has scripted a landmark chapter in Indian cricket by embarking on its first-ever international T20 series against Sri Lanka. The five-match series at the De Soysa Park International Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa marks the international debut of India's women's deaf cricket team and represents a major milestone for differently abled sport in the country. The historic tour also serves as an important stepping stone towards the DICC Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Delhi in February 2028.

Key Highlights

• India plays its first-ever international Women's Deaf T20 series against Sri Lanka
• Kajal Dhawan leads the 15-member squad in the five-match series at Moratuwa
• The tour serves as a crucial build-up to the DICC Women's T20 World Cup 2028 in Delhi

The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) has announced a 15-member squad for the historic T20 series against Sri Lanka, with wicketkeeper-batter Kajal Dhawan appointed as captain and Needa Zabi Shaikh serving as vice-captain. Pratima Mishra has been named as the second wicketkeeper in the squad. The team also features Aakansha Kanasiya, Reddy Jyoshna, Dipti Rani Sahoo, Shraddha Vaishnav, Sangeetha, Sukanya K. S., Ruby Yadav, Chandani Khan, Priyanshi Dixit, D. Kanthamma, Priyanka Saini, and Anjali, all of whom will represent India in the country's first-ever international Women's Deaf T20 series. Ahead of the tour, the team unveiled its official jersey in New Delhi in the presence of IDCA President Sumit Jain and several distinguished guests, celebrating a defining moment for Indian deaf cricket.

Like mainstream cricket, deaf cricket follows the Laws of Cricket and international regulations. However, players compete without hearing aids or cochlear implants to ensure fair competition. To qualify for international deaf cricket under the Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC), players must have a hearing loss of at least 55 decibels in their better ear. Communication on the field relies on sign language, lip-reading, eye contact, and visual signals instead of verbal instructions, while umpires also use visual cues to communicate every decision.

Where to Watch: You can catch the live action digitally on the Official IDCA YouTube Channel (ADCA_TV or IDCA TV).

India head coach Devdutt said deaf cricket follows the same rules as conventional cricket, with the only difference being the use of a slightly softer ball for the newly formed women's team. He described the Sri Lanka tour as a landmark opportunity to boost recognition, employment, and financial support for deaf women athletes. Captain Kajal Dhawan and vice-captain Needa Zabi Shaikh hailed the series as a historic milestone for India's first international women's deaf cricket team. Meanwhile, players continue balancing careers with cricket, as Priyanka Saini highlighted workplace challenges, and youngster Aakansha Kanasiya celebrated fulfilling her lifelong dream of representing India.

The IDCA has also confirmed plans to host a Women's Deaf T20I Tri-Series in 2027 featuring India, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad & Tobago, followed by the DICC Women's T20 World Cup in Delhi in 2028, further strengthening the future of women's deaf cricket on the international stage.