Ajay Reddy’s unstoppable rise in blind cricket | Fusion - WeRIndia

In a country where cricket inspires millions, few stories are as powerful as Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy’s.

Born into poverty in a farming family in Prakasam district, Ajay lost his eyesight at the age of four in a freak accident.

Yet, he refused to let blindness or social barriers hold him back.

In 2002, his family moved to Narasaraopet in search of better opportunities.

Although Ajay initially felt isolated at his new school for the visually impaired, the sound of cricket bats nearby sparked his interest.

Despite early rejection from the local team due to his small size, Ajay eventually made it onto the field with the help of his seniors.

From that point, he never looked back. Ajay rose through the district and state levels, eventually leading the Indian Men’s Visually Impaired Cricket Team.

As captain, he guided India to win the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in 2017.

Over a decade-long career, he played in 21 international tournaments, earned 16 ‘Man of the Series’ titles, scored 15 centuries, 35 half-centuries, and took 213 wickets.

Notably, he remains the only captain to win matches in all championship formats.

For his remarkable achievements, he received the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2023.

Ajay’s journey wasn’t limited to cricket. The State Bank of India supported him during his early career, recognising his dedication.

He now works with SBI and urges the government to improve infrastructure for visually impaired athletes.

Ajay said that many talented players give up due to a lack of support. He emphasised that both the State and Central governments must prioritise blind cricket. Financial assistance and better training facilities are crucial.

Today, Ajay Reddy serves as a coach and selector, continuing to inspire. His life proves that determination, when matched with opportunity, can break any barrier.

From a village boy with a dream to a national icon, his story is a beacon of hope for many.

Ajay’s journey reminds us: disability is not inability. Given the right support, dreams can rise above all odds, even without sight.

Image Credit: Sidhant99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Noida_Cricket_Stadium.jpg