Due to the lockdown, most of the players are finding it difficult to keep on track with the game but the visually challenged cricketers from Kerala are making sure to stay in touch with the game.
The team is currently working on different things, especially through the classes organized by The Cricket Association for the Blind in Kerala (CABK).
Vidya Vijaykumar, the former player of Pathanamthitta team, is guiding them through WhatsApp.
“I’m focusing on improving my handgrip and strength while batting,” said Thanooja George, captain of Kerala’s blind team side. “Since blind cricket uses underarm bowling, we cannot practise hanging ball drills, where the ball is placed at a greater height.”
Despite the training, a lot of players have stopped playing the game due to their financial situation and due to lack of support from the Government.
“Some senior players stopped playing and now work at rehabilitation centres due to lack of financial assistance given to them by the government,” said Rajanish Henry, vice-president of Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), who is also the CABK secretary. “We are now giving them training in personality development and home science as well, so as to help them build a career outside of cricket.”
“Most parents of the players are daily wage workers. With many being out of work, their situation was getting worse and we had to do something to help them. The team’s sponsors and well-wishers helped us mobilise the fund,” he said.
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