The Indian men’s mixed disability cricket team is set to script a new chapter as it hosts England in a historic five-match T20I series. The two teams met in England last year. India is hosting the series for the first time. The series begins on Thursday, January 29, with the final game scheduled for February 6.
The last time the two teams met, England dominated with a 6–1 series win at home. India’s lone victory came on June 25 at Lord’s, a date steeped in Indian cricket history — the anniversary of Kapil’s Devils iconic 1983 World Cup triumph. Dedicating that landmark win, Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) secretary general Ravikant Chauhan had said: “This win is for Kapil sir.”
Fast forward to January 2026, and the rivalry shifts to India. The first three matches will be played at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium, Greater Noida, while the final two games will be played in Jaipur.
India head coach and former Rajasthan Ranji team captain Rohit Jhalani believes the team is far better equipped this time around. Speaking to RevSportz, he said: “Last time when we were in the UK, it was our first time, and we had little experience. This time were are better prepared.”
The Indian squad has undergone a significant rejig. “We’ve shuffled the team and brought in 11 new players. In the ID (Intellectual Disability) category as well, we have some good players,” Jhalani added.
Detailing the process behind these additions, he said: “After returning from the UK, we started the scouting procedure.
“We’ve organised camps, and also from various regional tournaments, got some good players from across the country. Sibun Nanda in the Deaf category is doing well. He’s from Odisha. Deepak, in the same category, is from Uttar Pradesh.”
On further strengthening the side, Jhalani noted: “We’ve brought in Majid in the Physical Disability (PD) category, along with Wasim Iqbal.”
Confident yet cautious, the coach summed it up by saying: “Overall, we’ve got a good team and being in India, the conditions are in our favour.” He was quick to add a reality check, “But England have been playing this format for the last seven years, so they’ve got a good idea.”
He added: “For us, it’s been only six months in this format, and this will be our second series, but we’ll do better this time.”
Team India manager and DCCI board member Utpal Majumder, who also serves as secretary of the West Bengal Cricket Association for the Differently Abled (WBCADA), highlighted one of the new faces to watch.
Speaking to RevSportz about all-rounder Jayesh Parmer, he said: “He belongs to the Physical Disability (PD) category, and is a left-arm spinner and batter.
“He’s from Bolpur, and has been playing under WBCADA for the last four years, and has performed well in the domestic tournaments and has been proposed by us in the national camp, where he impressed.”
From the visiting camp, England’s veteran bowler James Dixon echoed the excitement. Speaking at an ECB press conference, he said: “Everyone in the squad is really excited to be here. A few of us have played in India before, but there are also quite a few for whom it’s their first time.”
Acknowledging India’s revamp, Dixon said: “We think India have maybe changed their team since last summer. We reckon they’ve upgraded it a little bit to try to match us. Hopefully we’ll still be even though.”
Team sheet’s out. Intent’s louder.
IND Mixed Disability Squad ready for ENG.
No sympathy overs. Only hard cricket.
29 Jan–6 Feb. Game on. #DifferentHaiAlagNahi #INDvsENG #DCCI #GameMode pic.twitter.com/XRMVxE2uaL— Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (@dcciofficial) January 24, 2026
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