Bishan Singh Bedi and Syed Kirmani urged the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) to take the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) under its fold to give all the assistance to India’s visually challenged cricketers that they require.

Both Bedi –Former Indian skipper and Wicket-keeper Kirmani were present at the IndusInd Bank Blind Cricket Conclave 2018, where the World Cup 2017 winning India team was also present there.

Bedi also gave the example of Tiger Pataudi, who played his entire international cricket after losing an eye due to a car accident and went on to become India’s finest captain.

According to a report in Press Trust of India, Bedi said, “Tiger lost eyesight before he made his Test debut. He hated if anyone sympathised with him. He never considered it as a physical disability and went on to become India’s finest captain. He was a Nawab but never behaved like one.”

Bedi signed off by saying, “You all are inspiration for millions. I would expect the BCCI to take CABI under its fold and give all the assistance they require. You all have shown that even if you don’t have eyesight, you can have vision.”

CABI president GK Mahantesh and the players have asked the BCCI to recognize Blind Cricket Association. Mahantesh told ANI, “We are eagerly waiting for a final update from them. They have said that they will support this, but in what manner and what extent they have not spelt out clearly. We had a good meeting with Rahul Johri [Chief Executive Officer, BCCI]. Couple of days ago we received a mail from the BCCI, asking us to submit certain documents to consider our pending grant of 2016-17 and also have asked to submit our plans for 2018-19.”

The Indian blind cricket team was formed in 1998 and is currently being managed by the CABI, a self-governing body backed by the Samarthanam Trust, a non-profit organisation.