Meet Priti, first DU woman to make it to women’s cricket team for blind

“I never knew that something like blind cricket existed. My brother encouraged me to try the sport, and I never expected to enjoy it,” said Prasad (21), a third-year political science student at DU’s Aurobindo College.

The youngest of five children, Prasad moved to Delhi from Darjeeling three years ago to join DU.

“I start my day by attending classes at 8.45 am and work out and practise in the evening. I usually head to the RK Puram ground every evening,” said Prasad.

A statement by the CABI stated that 38 players were initially shortlisted for the selection trials based on their performances in the previous national tournaments. It expressed confidence that the selected 17 players form a strong team and will emerge victorious in the upcoming tournament in Nepal.

“I want to represent my country internationally in cricket. Earlier, I wanted to study banking or become a teacher. But now that I have discovered this about myself, I am going to make my parents proud,” said Prasad.

Rajeev Bansal, Prasad’s cricket coach said that Priti has been practising with him since last September. “She was motivated to play cricket. We aim to add more players, young and fit, to the team representing Delhi,” he said.

Bansal (48) has been associated with the National Association for Blind (NAB) and has been coaching visually impaired cricket teams for men and women for the state of Delhi over the past eight

years.

“To understand commands for visually-challenged players is difficult as compared to the abled ones. Sounds play a huge role in understanding commands in the game for the visually impaired. They need to concentrate more than an average person to let the sound of the ball and the voice commands of the players guide them,” said Bansal.

Bansal said that the biggest challenge in training students who are visually challenged is to instil in them a strong sense of sound through sound training.

“I have three daughters and two sons and I have ensured all my girls get adequate education. I have made sure they are treated equally,” said Ramnath Prasad, Priti’s father

Ramnath (50) moved from Bihar to Darjeeling along with his family a couple of decades ago and currently runs a ration shop. His wife helps him run the shop.

“Priti had an eye operation in 2018, despite which she wanted to pursue this sport. She also taught me how to play and she is doing very well. I hope she makes our country proud,” he said.