Dehradun: His consistent knocks, best batsman tag for three consecutive seasons and a historic feat – state’s maiden entry into the quarterfinal stage of Nagesh Trophy, a premier domestic tournament for blind cricketers – justify the batting prowess of visually impaired Gambheer Chauhan, 20.
For the first time, the team won all five league matches since the inception of Nagesh Trophy in 2018-19.
The opener scored 394 runs in six matches, including a ton, against Puducherry. Though the Himalayan team lost the quarterfinal match, the players were satisfied as it was more about mettle than medal, they said.
When the first edition started in 2018-19 season, Uttarakhand figured 23rd on the domestic list, but by the 4th edition in 2021-22, it clinched the 8th spot nationally.
Next year, we will aim for the semifinals," said Naresh Sing Nayal, coach of the Uttarakhand blind cricket team.
But reaching the semifinals will depend on how Chauhan, a B2 (partially blind with visibility up to 3m) category player fares. He has scored more than 1,100 runs in 20 matches that he has played in the premier blind T20 cricket competition.
Coming from a humble background, Chauhan who belongs to Baila village of Chakrata block in Dehradun, does farming too. After the death of his father last year, he has been shouldering the responsibility of his mother and three shouldering the responsibility of his mother and three siblings.
The prize money he gets helps him run the ouse. Apart from that, his coach, people linked with his alma mater, National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities, and some locals also take care of his finances.
"My focus is on the game right now. We train twice a day and make full use of the facilities at National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities. My coach, Naresh, is trying to get a scholarship for me," said Chauhan.
"India national blind cricket team’s captain Ajay Reddy has been an inspiration to me. I don’t want my disability to come in the way of my goal," he said.
Chauhan was to compete in a tri-series against England and South Africa in March 2020, but the series got cancelled due to Covid-19.
The cricketer is also a keen footballer and has participated in training camps of the national blind football team.
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