What is behind all these inspiring sports stories? Deepika T C, captain of India’s blind women’s cricket team, is one of them. Her success came with plenty of challenges en route. She was brought up in poverty, with disability and discrimination from others; her obstacles were her assets and powers to use. Her life is evidence that courage can conquer hurdles and make history.
Deepika was born visually impaired in Tumkur, Karnataka. In a poor home, she had little access to resources and opportunities as a child. The ordinary life they led was pretty tough, and sports felt next to impossible. But she grew to love cricket, a game she stumbled upon one day. She learned to play with sound‑based balls and teamwork despite her disability.
Her biggest challenge, she said, was society’s attitudes. Many asked themselves if blind women could play cricket at all. She had to keep proving herself, on the field and in the eyes of those who perceived little of her. Shattering stereotypes was also a part of her mission.
Deepika T C – Inspiring Captain of India’s Blind Women’s Cricket Team
It required money to train for and travel to matches, which was difficult to organize. Blind cricket in India has generally not had adequate facilities and money. Deepika had to depend on sheer resilience and encouragement from a loving, trusting family and the community to persevere on this journey.
From these hardships, Deepika emerged as the captain of India’s blind women’s cricket team. In 2024 she guided her team to victory at the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind in Colombo, Sri Lanka. India finished unbeaten and defeated Nepal in the final. This was more than just a sporting victory, it was a validation that blind women athletes deserve recognition and respect.
For all the successes though, Deepika won several awards including the “We The Women” Award by journalist Barkha Dutt. But Deepika’s journey did not end with cricket. She was a voice advocating for inclusivity, and talking about the need for better facilities and equality for blind athletes. Her story inspires others to break down barriers and have hope.
Deepika T C: “Deepika T C faced the world to overcome hardships and fight the world.” She transformed from a young person of poverty and disability to a sporting star with great global reach, showing that no dream is too far if one has courage and determination. She’s more than just a cricket captain she’s a hero for India’s athletes with disabilities for what they’ve survived, they’ve come back to for resilience, hope, change.
