Syed Kirmani’s pep-talk motivated Indian boys ahead of Blind Cricket World Cup final: Coach

New Delhi, Jan 24: India may have lifted the Blind Cricket World Cup for the second consecutive time but the coach and secretary of Blind Cricket Association of India (BCAI) John David doesn't seem ecstatic.

India retain Blind Cricket WC

The reason for that is now he wants BCAI gets affiliation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Indian blind cricket team has returned to the country from Dubai on late Monday night and before boarding on the flight, David spoke to MyKhel from Dubai airport.

"Last time also we won the Blind World Cup Cricket and all of us were poured with appreciations and congratulatory messages. But now we need an affiliation of BCCI which rules the Indian Cricket. BCAI might get some financial support from the BCCI that way.

"Several blind (partially blind also) boys are coming to play cricket. If they find some kind of financial stability then their parents will also be relieved and feel that their children can fend for themselves by playing,” he added further.

On India’s success in the just concluded World Cup, David described, “We were consistent right from the beginning also this time around. We had defeated Pakistan in the group stage. Then we routed Sri Lanka in the semi-finals as well. But I feel before the final against Pakistan again, it was Syed Kirmani’s pep-talk for the boys in the dressing room that had motivated the boys.”

The former India international wicket-keeper was invited to Sharjah before the final.

According to David, Kirmani gave a pep talk to the Indian boys on the eve of final in the dressing room.

David added, “He actually described how they were charged in their historic 1983 World Cup winning journey. Kirmani also revealed how their skipper Kapil Dev was a powerhouse of positivity right from the beginning of the championship and our Indian boys were also motivated after having heard from Kirmani’s words.

"The boys felt if Kapil's underdog side was able to clinch the cup 35 years ago, then why can not Sunil Ramesh, Ajay Reddy make it possible for them and defeat Pakistan in the final? And finally, it happened.”