Cricket is a passion with the masses. Why should those who cannot see the ball clearly be denied their high? The All India Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2016 attempts to give fully blind and partially blind cricket enthusiasts their place in the sun.

“There are people who cannot see, but crazy about cricket. This tournament is an outlet for their passion, an opportunity to feel happy playing a sport so popular in this nation,” explained Arun Bharaskar, blind since birth and moving force behind the competition.

Atelephone operator by profession, the Nashik native is obsessed with giving those with vision problems different outlets to lead a life of respect. Sport is one of the joys Blind Welfare Organisation tries to provide. Music is another outlet for creativity, self-employment opportunities is another. For those listening to the cricket action, the sound of the ball landing on the pitch is music to their ears, the crack of the bat connecting with the ball has an electrifying effect on players from both teams.

Bharaskar explains how cricket by sound works. “We use a hard plastic ball with metal ball bearings inside. When the bowler sends down a delivery (underarm, over the wicket), the batsman picks up the chime of bearings clashing with each other inside and swings his bat.”

Innovative batting In a league match against Maharashtra, an Andhra Pradesh batsman chose the reverse sweep to send the round, white object racing down to third man, the striker dashed across to non-striker end. For those watching the action from a distance, along the Marine Drive, nothing appeared unusual, except some players wearing a white band on the forehead, others without who appeared more agile chasing the ball. Bharaskar, the organiser-cum-commentator, explained the nuances of blind cricket. “B1 and B2, those who cannot see and those with partial vision,” he said. For Bharaskar, commentary was a link to the game from childhood. Each team includes five B1s and six B2s. Eight state sides have been competing in the three-day event. Cricket excellence demands hand-eye co-ordination. Master batsmen are supposed to be able to judge the delivery type by watching the ball as the bowler slips into delivery stride. Fielders track the ball as it flies off the blade. “Sound,” declares Bharaskar, raising hand for emphasis. Sound of the bowler’s footsteps, the ball pitching, the crack of the bat connecting, shouts as fielders see alert teammates race towards the direction where the ball is rolling. It is a different cricket world out there involving B1s and B2s. Challenging categories The sound is the key for one group, a blur of colour galvanises others. Gujarat is the defending champion, with Maharashtra, Andhra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat posing a stiff challenge. Most players are part-timers. Organiser Bharaskar is a telephone operator at the Secondary School Certificate Board office. He takes three days leave annually, so do the players. League matches are 15-over-a-side contests, with the final on Wednesday at the adjacent P J Hindu Gymkhana between the first top two sides being a 20 overs a side. The sounds of cricket were overwhelming to the extent that break in play was used to broadcast live commentary of India vs Australia ODI from Perth. Sixes, fours were rare, run-outs and overthrows were common as batsmen and fielders at Islam Gymkhana reacted by instinct, guided by shouts. Bharaskar kept track of scores, the way he kept track of India tours and World Cup wins under Kapil Dev and M S Dhoni. “From the time Sunil Gavaskar scored 205 against West Indies in a Test match (1978 Mumbai Test at Wankhede), radio was my window to cricket.” When Dhoni hit the winning runs against Sri Lanka at the same venue, he celebrated. “I was in front of the television at home, listening. When India won, I went crazy, like everyone around.” Cricket draws in the celebrities, the Indian Premier League specifically. Far removed from colour and glamour, the moving force behind BWO hopes for support from enthusiasts, private bodies and government organisations. “Islam Gymkhana gave us solid support. We need help to do things in a better way, give more facilities to the players, more cash awards for performers,” he said. “Our well-wishers tell us to have separate Best Player awards for B1 and B2.” Ready reckoner *Players are divided into two categories: B1 (blind) and B2 (partially blind). *The rules stipulate that each team has five B1 and six B2 players. *The matches are limited to 15-overs-a-side till the final, which is a 20-over game. *Bowlers send down a hard, plastic ball underarm. Batsmen react to the sound of metal ball bearings inside the ball as it is rolled down. * Runs are scored mainly through sweep shots. Gujarat is the defending champion.