By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
On the sprawling grounds of the prestigious Doon School in Dehradun, excitement reached a fever pitch on Sunday as Uttarakhand and Haryana battled it out in a gripping blind cricket match.
Yet, despite the drama unfolding on the field, the contest largely went unnoticed by the wider public.
The final match of the four-game series had all the ingredients of a thriller. Chasing a target of 157 runs in a 20-over contest, Uttarakhand remained in the hunt until the closing stages. With around 21 runs needed from the final one over, hopes of a series-levelling victory were still alive.
However, Haryana held their nerve under pressure. Uttarakhand eventually finished at 148 for the loss of seven wickets, losing the crucial match by 8 runs. The defeat handed Haryana a 3-1 series victory.
As the final ball was bowled, jubilant Haryana players embraced each other in celebration. The visiting side featured several accomplished cricketers, including Deepak Malik and Pravin Sharma, both of whom have represented India in international blind cricket competitions.
Among the handful of spectators present was Prof. Harsh Dobhal of Doon University, who watched the last moments of the game. “I am feeling very sad that our state lost both the match and the series against Haryana,” he said.
Dr. K.G. Suresh, Director of India Habitat Centre, also stopped by to watch part of the game but had to leave early. “I would have loved to watch the entire match, but I had to catch a flight to Delhi,” he said.
While the cricket on display earned praise, organizers expressed concern over the lack of financial support for blind cricket in Uttarakhand.
“We are grateful to the Doon School management for providing such a wonderful ground. It is very difficult for us to secure facilities of this quality,” said Lokesh Singh, President of the Cricket Association of Blinds of Uttarakhand (CABU).
Singh said the association plans to approach major corporate houses, including ONGC, for sponsorship support. “We desperately need funds to organize more tournaments and provide opportunities to these talented players,” he said.
CABU General Secretary Amandeep Arya urged the Uttarakhand government to extend financial assistance to promote blind cricket in the state. “We are not receiving any financial support. If we get adequate backing, we can organize many more such events and help these players showcase their talent,” Arya said.
For those present, Sunday’s match was a reminder of the remarkable skill, determination and competitive spirit of blind cricketers. Yet it also highlighted a larger reality — despite producing inspiring performances, the sport continues to fight for the recognition and support it deserves.