Indore, 16 March (H.S.): North Zone clinched the 7th One Day National Zonal Deaf Cricket Championship title organized by the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), edging South Zone in a pulsating final on Sunday at The Emerald Heights International School.
North Zone batted first, folding for 120 in 24.1 overs with Kuldeep Singh top-scoring on 31; South Zone's Yashwant Naidu claimed a match-hauling five-wicket haul. Chasing, South Zone overhauled the target in 25.5 overs for six wickets, powered by Vaibhav's crucial 42, while Rohit Saini mirrored Naidu's feat with five wickets.
In semifinals, Central Zone routed East Zone by 55 runs, amassing 187 for five in 20 overs—Viraj Kolte smashing a brisk 50 off 30 balls—before East folded for 132 in 18.1 overs, with Sanju Sharma grabbing three wickets and Santosh Kumar Mohapatra notching 34.
Individual honors went to Man of the Match Vivek Kumar (North Zone) and Aman Chaukse (Central Zone), best batter Abhishek Singh (East Zone), best bowler Vivek Kumar, and Player of the Series Vivek Kumar.Chief guest Dr. Atul Malikram presented the trophy to victors, as distinguished guest Rakhal Kumar Sethi honored runners-up.
IDCA President Sumit Jain hailed the event for spotlighting deaf cricketers' talent and dedication, fostering national and international pathways for differently-abled athletes across India's five zones from March 11-15.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
