Blind Cricket Asia Cup: India name 24 probables for title defence

Defending champions India have named 24 probables for the 2026 Men's Blind Cricket Asia Cup in Dhaka. The squad will be trimmed to 17 after a national coaching and selection camp featuring training, fitness, tactical preparation and practice matches

Bengaluru: The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) on Saturday named India’s probable squad of 24 players for the 2026 Asia Cup in Dhaka, with the defending champions looking to bag a second title.

The Men’s Asia Cup 2026 for the Blind is the second edition of the tournament and returns after a decade-long gap due to logistical constraints. India’s 24 probables will be reduced to a final 17-member squad after a national coaching and selection camp, which will include cricket training, fitness and conditioning sessions, tactical preparation and practice matches.

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Meanwhile, the selection committee and coaching staff will assess the 24 players on various aspects, including performance, fitness, skills and team combinations, before the final squad is announced.

India won the inaugural Asia Cup in 2016 after defeating Pakistan in the final in Kochi, Kerala.

Speaking on the return of the continental showpiece, CABI chairman Dr Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar emphasised that it was a “significant moment”.

“The return of the Men’s Blind Cricket Asia Cup after ten years is a significant moment for the entire blind cricket fraternity.

“We hold very special memories of the inaugural Asia Cup in Kochi in 2016, when India defeated Pakistan to become the first champions. Ten years later, we are excited to begin our title defence in Bangladesh. These 24 probables represent some of the finest blind cricketing talent from across India, and we look forward to selecting a strong, competitive team that will carry onto the field,” he said.

India’s 24-member probable squad for the Asia Cup:

Naresh Tumda, Sanjay Kumar Shah, Debaraj Behera, Ashok Reddy, Praveen Kumar Sharma, Mukesh Kumar Rawat, Sayanth K B, Golu Kumar, Dunna Venkateshwarao, Rambir Singh, Lokesha, Manish Kumar, Nakula Badanayak, Deepak Singh Rawat, Snehith S Kumar, Irfan Diwan, Bhaskar K, Durga Rao Tompaki, Sunil Ramesh, Sukhram Majhi, A Ravi, Dinesh Rathva, Deepak and Gambheer S Chauhan.