Jammu, September 13, 2025 – In a moment of immense pride for Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Bani Lohai Malhar constituency, 20-year-old Anekha Devi, daughter of daily wager Bachitar Singh from the remote village of Machhedi (Bajohi) in Kathua district, has been selected to represent India in the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind. This remarkable achievement, hailed by locals as inspiring as cracking the IAS on merit, underscores the power of determination and resilience in overcoming visual impairment to shine on the global stage.
Breaking Barriers on the Cricket Field
Anekha, born with B2-level visual impairment, has defied odds stacked against her from a young age. Hailing from a modest background—her father works as a daily wager in the Power Development Department, and her mother is a homemaker—the young cricketer from tehsil Lohai Malhar has turned her passion for the sport into a beacon of hope for her community. “I started playing cricket in my village school and gradually participated in district and state-level tournaments,” Anekha shared, recounting her journey that led to national-level successes and ultimately this international call-up.The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), in collaboration with the Samarthanam Trust, announced the 16-member Indian squad on September 11 following a rigorous nationwide talent hunt involving 56 players and intensive training camps. Anekha features in the B2 category alongside teammates like Basanti Hansdah (Odisha), Simranjeet Kour (Rajasthan), Sunita Sarathe (Madhya Pradesh), and Parbati Marndi (Odisha). The historic tournament, a giant leap towards inclusion in cricket, will be hosted by India from November 11 to 25, featuring teams from Australia, England, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the USA. Matches will be played across multiple venues, promoting tolerance, empowerment, and social inclusion through sport.
A Proud Milestone for J&K and Inspiration for Youth
Local leaders and residents of Kathua have erupted in celebration, viewing Anekha’s selection as a triumph for the underprivileged and differently-abled. “Anekha comes from a very humble background, living in a kachha house in a remote area, yet her selection is a matter of great pride for the people of Bani and the entire Union Territory,” said Rameshwar Singh, a community figure. Her story resonates deeply in Bani Lohai Malhar, inspiring young girls to pursue dreams beyond limitations, much like the prestige of merit-based civil service success.Anekha’s family, including her father Bachitar Singh, expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude. “We never saw her impairment as a barrier; her hard work has made us all proud,” Singh said. The achievement highlights J&K’s growing role in inclusive sports, aligning with broader efforts to empower women and youth through platforms like cricket, which instills discipline, teamwork, and competitiveness.As preparations gear up for the World Cup, Anekha Devi’s journey from the fields of Machhedi to the world stage promises to captivate and motivate. Heartfelt congratulations pour in from across the nation to Anekha and her family—may this be the start of many more victories.
