Very humbling experience: Dawid Malan, Sam Billings on interaction with blind cricketers in India

Ahead of the five-match T20I series against India, England cricketers Dawid Malan and Sam Billings had a heartfelt interaction with three blind cricketers– Vishnu, Dinesh and Nikul -from Gujarat about their love for cricket. The English duo discussedthe feeling of stepping intothe largest cricket stadium – Narendra Modi Stadium – in Ahmedabad while also expressing their thoughts on blind cricket.

Sharing their experience of interacting with the blind cricketers,Malan and Billingstold WION that theywere left awestruck byVishnu, Dinesh and Nikul’spassion and love for cricket.

The England batsmen acknowledged that cricket is the game for everyone while saying thatthe passion shown by the blind cricketers, despite all the challenges they face, is a real lesson in how to overcome the most difficult of situations in life.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Malan and Billingsshared their thoughtsafter their interactionwith the blind cricketers from Gujaratwith the video going viral on social media.

Dawid Malantold WION:“It was wonderful and very humbling to speak with Vishnu, Dinesh and Nikul. Their commitment to the game we all love, despite the challenges they face, is a real lesson in how to accept challenges and overcome them. Our chat alsoemphasisedto me how cricket really is a game for everyone, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.”

Sam Billingstold WION:“I think Dinesh and Nikul, two of the players we spoke with, had travelled for five hours just to be on the call with us. Those two, together with Vishnu, the Gujarat captain, were fantastic to speak with and they were even generous enough to give us each a ball used in blind cricket. Dawid and I both agreed we would give it a try when we get the chance, although it seems incredibly difficult, and I think we are both in awe of the skills the players have.”

ALSO READ:To officiate in T20 World Cup and Ashes is my next target: Nitin Menon to WION

Vishnu, Dinesh and Nikul, in the virtual interaction asked Malan and Billings about their experience of stepping in the Narendra Modi Stadium, their experiences of playing in IPL and India, and whattheirfavouritesportwas while growing up.However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the players couldn’t meet the blind cricketers in person.ButVishnu, Dinesh and Nikul gifted Malan and Billings the balls used in blind cricket and the English cricketers have agreed to give it a try when they get a chance.

ALSO READ:Monty Panesar: Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest athlete ever, to play against him is huge honour

England cricket team is in India for agruellingfull-fledged tour. Following the completion of the four-match Test series, the visitorswill commence their five-match T20I series against India from Friday (March 12) in Ahmedabad followed by a three-match ODI series starting fromMarch 23 in Pune.