Jammu & Kashmir Crowned Champions of IDCA 10th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 in Surat
Surat, Gujarat : The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), in association with the Gujarat Deaf Cricket Association (GDCA) and Deaf Cricket Association Surat (DCAS), successfully concluded the IDCA 10th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2026 in Surat, Gujarat, with Jammu & Kashmir team emerging as the champions and Rajasthan team finishing as runners-up.
Held from 26 October to 1 November 2026 at Bawaji Cricket Ground, Bhatpore, Surat, the national championship brought together teams representing 14 states and regions across India. The tournament provided a competitive platform for deaf cricketers to demonstrate their skills, sporting abilities and commitment to the game, while reinforcing the importance of structured opportunities for deaf athletes at the national level.
The championship marked a significant milestone for the city, with Surat hosting the IDCA National T20 Cricket Championship for Deaf at the national level for the first time. The event reflected the collective efforts of sporting organisations and stakeholders to expand the reach of deaf cricket and create greater opportunities for athletes across the country.
The closing ceremony was graced by Shri Santosh Kumar Rai, IAS, Special Secretary, Home Department, Government of Delhi, as the Honourable Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he congratulated Jammu & Kashmir Deaf on winning the championship and Rajasthan Deaf on securing the runners-up position. He also acknowledged the efforts of the participating teams, players, coaches, officials, organisers, sponsors and volunteers in making the championship a success.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Santosh Kumar Rai, IAS, said, “Winning and losing are part of sports, but the true achievement lies in participation, determination, discipline and sportsmanship. These talented deaf cricketers have demonstrated that hearing impairment is never a barrier to achieving excellence in sports. Such initiatives provide a valuable platform for deaf athletes to showcase their talent, promote inclusion and equal opportunities, and inspire future generations.”
He further appreciated IDCA, GDCA and the supporting organisations for their efforts in organising the national championship and strengthening opportunities for deaf athletes.
Mr. Sumit Jain, President, Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), said,”The successful conclusion of the 10th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf marks another important milestone in our efforts to strengthen the platform for deaf cricket in India. Bringing together 14 teams from across the country in Surat, for the first time, reflects the growing reach of the sport and the commitment of everyone working to advance it. We congratulate Jammu & Kashmir on winning the championship and Rajasthan on finishing as runners-up. Our appreciation goes to GDCA, DCAS, the participating teams, officials, volunteers and partners whose collective efforts made this edition possible. IDCA remains committed to ensuring that deaf cricketers have meaningful opportunities to compete, develop their skills and represent their regions and the country with pride.”
Mr. Mittal Shah, General Secretary, Gujarat Deaf Cricket Association (GDCA), said, “Hosting this prestigious championship in Surat has been a true privilege. The exceptional talent, discipline and spirit shown by all teams made it a memorable celebration of deaf cricket. We extend our sincere gratitude to IDCA, the players, officials, volunteers, sponsors and partners for making this event a grand success. Heartiest congratulations to Jammu & Kashmir on their title win and to Rajasthan for their strong finish. GDCA remains committed to supporting and developing deaf cricket across India, and we look forward to hosting many more tournaments ahead.”
The championship also recognised outstanding individual performances across the tournament. Mr. Sai Akash of Tamil Nadu Deaf was named Player of the Series and received the Best Batsman of the Series award. Mr. Sanju Sharma of Rajasthan Deaf was recognised as the Best Bowler of the Series, while Mr. Shariq Majeed of Jammu & Kashmir Deaf received the Player of the Match award in the final.
The closing ceremony also included a special retirement felicitation for Mr. Parth Gajjar, in recognition of his valuable contribution, dedication and service to Indian Deaf Cricket.
The championship was organised by IDCA, hosted by GDCA and co-hosted by DCAS, under the coordination of Mr. Mittal Shah, General Secretary, GDCA. IDCA acknowledged the efforts of the host associations and the support extended by the participating teams, officials, volunteers and stakeholders in facilitating the successful conduct of the tournament.
IDCA also expressed its gratitude to Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla and the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation, the principal sponsor of the championship, for their continued support towards the development of deaf cricket and the creation of greater opportunities for deaf athletes.
The championship received support from Serum Institute of India – Cyrus Poonawalla Group, KFC India, Kaizzen, Impact Research & Measurement Pvt. Ltd., RB Foundation, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd., Vaarta Home for Early Learning, ONGC Energy: Now and Next, KRIBHCO, Hindustan Dry Cleaners, Manish Patel & Associates Law House, The Himalaya Group, Ashadeep Group of Schools and Devout Coats and Textiles Pvt. Ltd.
IDCA also acknowledged the encouragement and support of the cricketing institutions and governing bodies associated with the development of the sport, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Deaf International Cricket Council (DICC), Asian Deaf Cricket Association (ADCA), Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), Gujarat Deaf Cricket Association (GDCA), Surat District Cricket Association (SDCA) and Deaf Cricket Association Surat (DCAS).
With teams representing 14 states and regions, the 10th edition of the championship marked an important milestone in the continued development of deaf cricket in India. By expanding its reach to new regions and bringing athletes together through structured national-level competition, IDCA continues to work towards strengthening the sporting ecosystem for deaf cricketers and advancing greater recognition of their talent and achievements.
