Blind cricket: Sixth successive title for dominant Gujarat

Gujarat players celebrate their win over Andhra Pradesh in the National Blind Cricket Tournament final yesterday.

Gujrat are proving to be an unstoppable force in India's blind cricket. Yesterday, they beat Andhra Pradesh by 51 runs to clinch their sixth successive National Cricket For Blind Tournament at Wilson Gymkhana.

Gujarat players celebrate their win over Andhra Pradesh in the National Blind Cricket Tournament final yesterday. Pic/Shadab Khan

Ganesh Muhundkar's 27-ball 45 and his dismissal of well-set AP batsman Amiti Ravi helped Gujarat dominate the proceedings in the final tie. Gujarat posted 187-9 in 15 overs and then restricted AP to 136-8.

The reason for Gujarat's dominance on the domestic circuit boils down to the advance preparations before the tournaments. The team dedicatedly trains every morning and evening at a ground in Vapi.

With no dearth in basic facilities from the Gujarat Blind Cricket Board and Valsad Blind Cricket Board, the players put in their 100 per cent in net sessions.

How they did it
Their practice sessions revolve mostly around match simulations wherein the players try to achieve the goals in specific targets. Gujarat coach Dilip Jogari said having five internationals in their ranks made a huge difference in yesterday's final match.

"The team did well in all three departments and spoiled the opposition's momentum from the beginning.

"We have five international players in our current squad. Their experience played a big role in the final," he said.