Kolkata, 18 December. The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), supported by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and recognised by the Deaf International Cricket Council and Asian Deaf Cricket Association, launched the fourth edition of the National Test Cricket Championship for the deaf on Thursday in Kolkata.
The week-long Test series will run from 18 to 23 December, with two simultaneous semi-final matches held at Kolkata’s Merlin Rise Cricket Ground and Rajasthan Club Ground. The winners of the semi-finals will compete in the final Test match for the championship trophy from 21 to 23 December.
Semi-final 1 will be played between Delhi and Bengal, while Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir will face off in semi-final 2 for a place in the final. Delhi won the toss against hosts Bengal and chose to bowl first. Jammu & Kashmir also opted to bowl after winning the toss against Odisha.
The fourth edition of the IDCA Test National Cricket Championship is organised under the supervision of the Dr Cyrus Poonawalla Group. The event brings together some of the most talented cricketers from four Indian states to compete from 18 to 23 December 2025.
At the grand opening ceremony held at the Merlin Rise Pavilion in Kolkata, Anirban Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Founder Chairman of Heritage Global Bengal, officially inaugurated the Test series. He expressed hope that some players from here would one day represent India’s main cricket team, citing inspiration from a disabled player who became one of India’s best googly bowlers. He encouraged all players to keep inspiring one another.
IDCA President Sumit Jain said, “The fourth Test National Cricket Championship for the deaf will be a testing ground for all players as the matches are played over three days with two innings each. While players are accustomed to shorter formats, the Test format will test their fitness and consistency over three days and four innings. Our objective with this series is to celebrate the passion, courage, and talent of athletes with hearing difficulties and showcase their fighting spirit. Supported strongly by the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, Merlin Rise Group Management, and our partners, we continue to provide a strong platform for differently-abled cricketers to shine on the national stage.”
IDCA CEO Roma Balwani said, “I am truly happy that the fourth Test National Cricket Championship is taking place in Kolkata. Bringing together talented players who demonstrate the power of inclusion in sports is only possible with the continuous support of our partners. I especially thank our venue partner Merlin Rise Pavilion for providing this excellent facility and EIIIM for their volunteer support.”
IDCA enjoys support from several prominent brands including Serum Institute of India, KFC India, Hero, Kaizen, Impact Research and Measurement Private Limited, Shiv Naresh Sports Private Limited, and RB Foundation. Merlin Group is the venue partner while EIIIM University supports as volunteer partner.
Founded in 2020 by Sumit Jain, the Indian Deaf Cricket Association is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and is committed to developing cricket among deaf players in India, providing opportunities at state, national, and international levels. Roma Balwani joined IDCA as Pro Bono CEO in 2022.
IDCA is the governing body for deaf cricket in India and is a member of the Deaf International Cricket Council, which collaborates with the ICC to promote equal opportunities and full participation for deaf cricketers worldwide. Prior to IDCA, the Deaf Cricket Society worked for deaf cricketers.
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