Vizag’s Karuna Leads India to Blind Cricket Glory

Pangi Karuna Kumari, a Class X student from Visakhapatnam, played a crucial role in India’s historic victory at the Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind, held in Colombo. Playing as a fully blind (B1 category) batter, she scored an instrumental 42 runs in the final against Nepal, helping India clinch the title for the first time.

Karuna’s stellar performance has drawn praise from the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) and the Cricket Association for the Blind in Andhra Pradesh (CAB-AP), both of which have committed to enhancing blind cricket for men and women across the state. Her coach, Ajay Reddy, highlighted her talent, especially her strong sweep shot, a key skill in blind cricket where an audible ball guides players’ timing and direction.

Karuna’s path has been one of resilience. Initially enrolled at the Government Residential School for Visually Impaired Girls, Visakhapatnam, she had to leave after Class VII due to deteriorating eyesight. In 2023, encouraged by school staff who learned about her determination, she rejoined and rapidly excelled in sports, representing her school at the state and national levels.

Blind cricket categorizes players into B1 (fully blind), B2 (partial vision up to 2 meters), and B3 (partial vision up to 6 meters). Karuna’s national journey began in December 2023, participating in tournaments in Hooghly and Cochin, and in the Infinity Series. After attending the final selection camp in Bengaluru, she earned her place in India’s squad for the inaugural Women’s Blind T20 World Cup.

Karuna Kumari’s success stands as a beacon of inspiration for visually impaired athletes nationwide, showcasing extraordinary talent and determination in the face of adversity.