In a triumphant display at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium, India’s Deaf cricket team clinched the first-ever ADCA T20 Asia Cup 2026 by defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka set a target of 144 runs for 7 wickets in their 20 overs. India chased it down with ease, reaching the score in just 19.5 overs while losing only six wickets. The victory capped off a dominant campaign for the Indian side in this groundbreaking tournament.
Throughout the series, India showcased remarkable consistency. They started with a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka, followed by a stunning 10-wicket thrashing of Nepal. Sri Lanka bounced back by beating Nepal by six wickets and then demolishing them by 157 runs in another match. India edged Sri Lanka by one run in a thriller before securing a nine-wicket victory against Nepal to confirm their final spot against the Lankans.
Sai Akash emerged as the hero of the final, earning Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance—scoring 27 runs off 14 balls and claiming two crucial wickets. His performance epitomized India’s balanced attack.
Sri Lanka’s Gimadu EL Malcolm stole the show across the tournament, amassing 196 runs and grabbing seven wickets to bag both Best Batter and Player of the Series awards. Teammate Gihan Lasidu D’Silva complemented him with 10 wickets, securing the Best Bowler accolade.
ADCA President Sumit Jain hailed the event as a milestone. ‘Hosting the inaugural ADCA T20 Asia Cup at Barabati Stadium is a matter of immense pride,’ he said. ‘It underscores our commitment to promoting cricket among hearing-impaired athletes across Asia. Congratulations to all participants in this historic event.’
Jain expressed hopes for more such international spectacles and thanked ODCA and OCA officials for their support in making the tournament a success. This victory not only marks a historic first for India but also inspires a new generation of deaf cricketers across the continent.