Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday felicitated four Odisha players of the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team, which scripted history by winning the inaugural Women’s Blind T20 World Cup 2025 after defeating Nepal in a thrilling final in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
At a special ceremony at his residence, the Chief Minister honoured Phula Soren, Parbati Marndi, Jamuna Rani Tudu and Basanti Hansda, presenting each of them a cheque of ₹11 lakh in recognition of their remarkable feat.
Congratulating the players, Majhi praised their resilience and commitment. “Through dedication and hard work, you have brought glory to the nation and the state. You are an inspiration for every Odia. May you continue to rise with confidence and pride,” he said.
The Indian side’s triumph in Colombo marked a historic moment, as the team became the first-ever champions of the Women’s Blind T20 World Cup.
Opting to field first after winning the toss, India restricted Nepal to 114 for 5 in their 20 overs, displaying disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. The chase was clinical, as India overhauled the target in just 12.1 overs with 47 balls to spare. Khula Sharir was the standout performer with an unbeaten 44 off 27 balls, including four boundaries, guiding India to a dominant victory to lift the historic title.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director Dr. Vedula Vijay, team coach Debasish Jena, and other senior officials also attended the felicitation ceremony.
Earlier on Monday morning, the four visually impaired T20 Women’s World Cup winners received a warm welcome upon their arrival in Bhubaneswar, with fans, sports enthusiasts and officials greeting them with cheers and flowers.
Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu met the World Cup-winning team at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she was presented with an autographed bat by the players and support staff as a gesture of gratitude and respect.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the team for their remarkable feat, calling it a proud moment for the nation. He commended the players for winning the prestigious title without losing a single match, highlighting their courage, determination and excellence.
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