The five-match T20I series between India and England is set to get underway on Friday (March 12) in Ahmedabad.
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Ahead of the opening game, England batsmen Dawid Malan and Sam Billings had an interaction with three blind cricketers namely Vishnu, Dinesh and Nikul. All three of them are from Gujarat.
The official Twitter handle of the British High Commission in India shared a video of the interaction and captioned the post as: "Cricket knows no boundaries! Who needs a hit of cricket chat ahead of the first #T20Cricket match with tomorrow? See English cricketers @sambillings & @dmalan29 have a chat with 'unbelievably skilful' blind cricketers from Gujarat about their love for the sport."
Speaking to ANI, both the English cricketers narrated how it was like to talk to Vishnu, Dinesh and Nikul.
"It was wonderful and very humbling to speak with Vishnu, Dinesh and Nikul. Their commitment to the game we all love, despite the challenges they face, is a real lesson in how to accept challenges and overcome them. Our chat also emphasised to me how cricket really is a game for everyone, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in," Malan said.
Billings revealed that Dinesh and Nikul had travelled for five hours to just be on a call with him and Malan.
"I think Dinesh and Nikul, two of the players we spoke with, had travelled for five hours just to be on the call with us. Those two, together with Vishnu, the Gujarat captain, were fantastic to speak with and they were even generous enough to give us each a ball used in blind cricket. Dawid and I both agreed we would give it a try when we get the chance, although it seems incredibly difficult, and I think we are both in awe of the skills the players have," said Billings.
In the virtual interaction, Vishnu, Dinesh and Nikul had asked the England batters about their experience of training in the world's largest stadium – Narendra Modi Stadium.
They also asked Malan and Billings to share their experiences of playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
(With ANI inputs)
