Ranchi will play host to the fourth and concluding one-day international match of Oxigen Cup-2015, the bilateral series between specially-abled cricket teams of India and Sri Lanka. The match will be played on Friday at JSCA International Stadium Complex.
The tournament has been organised by Oxigen Services (India) Pvt Ltd and Disabled Sporting Society to promote awareness among physically challenged people to take up sports and become full-fledged sports persons. Disable Sports Evam Jan Utthan Samiti, a member of Disabled Sporting Society is supporting the championship in Jharkhand.
This tournament is special for Jharkhand cricket enthusiasts as the Indian team is led by Jharkhand-born Mukesh Kanchan, while Vipul Sen Gupta, Nishank Upadhyay and Vijay Kumar from Jharkhand are also part of the playing eleven. The team played the first match of the tournament in Agra on Saturday.
“The teams will be here by Wednesday and we are prepared to welcome them,” said Rahul Mehta, an organiser who represents Chotanagpur Sanskritik Sangh (CSS).
“Though the Sri Lankan team is a strong contender, we are leaving no stone unturned to defeat them. Our players have trained very hard and have done well in past tournaments too. We will make sure that we win the match in Ranchi,” said Kanchan.
The Indian team has won Thailand Series in 2013, Bangladesh Series in 2014 and Sri Lanka Series and Asia Cup this year, making it a strong side in the tournament.
“It will be a usual 50-over cricket match played by specially-abled players. No rules have been changed or the equipment altered to make the game easy for the players. It will be a full-fledged cricket match and the quality of game at par with the international benchmarks,” stated CSS spokesperson Utkarsh Leo.
To this Kanchan added, “Cricket for physically challenged is played according to International Cricket Council’s laws. The only concession is that a team is allowed to have two by-runners.”
After the first match in Agra last Saturday, the teams will play their next two matches in Firozabad and Etawah on Monday and Tuesday respectively before coming to Ranchi.
“The match will be inaugurated by CCL CMD at 9:40 on Friday. Chief Minister, Health Minister, Sports Minister and Education Minister will preside over the closing ceremony....,”said the spokesperson.
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