In a thrilling contest at the PD Champions Trophy 2025, the Indian Physical Disability cricket team (India PD) emerged victorious, defeating England PD by 29 runs in their second league match. The match, held at the FTZ Cricket Grounds in Katunayake, Sri Lanka, highlighted the remarkable skill and determination of India’s PD cricketers, showcasing their strong form and intent to dominate the prestigious PD Champions Trophy 2025.
Historic Century by Rajesh Kannur
Batting first, India set a formidable target of 191 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The highlight of India’s innings came from Rajesh Kannur, who made history by becoming the first-ever physical disability cricketer to score a century in a multi-nation tournament. His scintillating knock of 100 runs not only laid the foundation for India’s challenging total but also placed him in the record books. Kannur’s innings was a masterclass in timing and strokeplay, thrilling the crowd and setting the stage for his team’s success in the PD Champions Trophy 2025.
Supporting Kannur, Ravindra Sante played a blistering cameo, scoring 45 runs off just 24 balls. His aggressive batting in the closing overs helped India accelerate, providing a strong finish to the innings and setting England a daunting target in the PD Champions Trophy 2025.
England’s Fightback Falls Short
In reply, England PD came out with determination, but India’s bowlers displayed excellent discipline to keep them under control. Early breakthroughs from Radhika and Jithendra, who took two crucial wickets during the powerplay, put England on the back foot. The pressure mounted on England’s batters as they struggled to build partnerships, with India’s bowlers maintaining tight lines and lengths.
Ravindra Sante was a standout performer with the ball, adding to his earlier contributions with the bat. His spin bowling was exceptional, and he finished with figures of 2 for 24 in his four overs. Sante’s efforts were crucial in restricting England’s chase, and he played a key role in India’s successful defense of their target in the PD Champions Trophy 2025.
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Will Flynn’s Brave Effort
England’s top-order struggled, but Will Flynn mounted a brave resistance. Flynn’s blistering 87 runs off just 41 balls, which included eight towering sixes, kept India on edge. Despite his explosive knock, England’s other batters failed to provide sufficient support, leaving them 29 runs short of the target. Flynn’s valiant effort was not enough to secure victory, as India’s bowlers held their nerve in the final stages of the game.
Celebrations and Reflections
After the match, a jubilant Rajesh Kannur shared his emotions about creating history in such a prestigious tournament. “It feels amazing to have made history today, especially in such an important tournament. I am proud of my performance, and it’s an honor to represent India,” he said. His century was not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Indian PD team.
This 29-run victory solidified India PD’s position as one of the favorites in the PD Champions Trophy 2025, with their combination of strong batting and disciplined bowling proving difficult to overcome. As they look forward to their next matches, India’s Physical Disability cricket team is demonstrating that they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
