India’s Mixed Disability team etched their name in history with a thrilling two-wicket victory over England in the third T20I of the landmark Vitality Mixed Disability series at Lord’s on Wednesday. The nail-biting finish came on a momentous date—June 25—which marked 42 years since India’s 1983 World Cup triumph at the same venue under Kapil Dev’s captaincy.
“This win is our tribute to the 1983 World Cup-winning team led by Kapil Dev sir,” said Ravi Chauhan, General Secretary of the Differently-Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), as the team celebrated its maiden win of the series. The match also paid tribute to former India spinner Dilip Doshi, who passed away earlier this week in London, with both teams wearing black armbands in his memory.
In another powerful coincidence, June 25 is recognised as World Mixed Disability Day, and this match at Lord’s was the centrepiece of the Disability Cricket Day, jointly hosted by the MCC, ECB and Lord’s Taverners. It marked the first time India and England’s Mixed Disability teams faced off at the iconic ground, making it a landmark occasion for disability sport.
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Trailing 0-2 in the seven-match series after defeats at Taunton and Wormsley, India bounced back in style. Seam bowler Vivek Kumar (3 for 16) and left-arm spinner and captain Ravindra Sante (3 for 8) led the charge, helping reduce England to 49 for 7 inside 12 overs. Angus Brown’s brilliant counterattack—77 off 47 balls with five sixes—lifted England to 123 for 9 in 20 overs, with a 35-run ninth-wicket stand alongside A Pyle giving the hosts hope.
India’s chase was anchored by a calm and composed 44 from Sai Akash. Despite a fierce fightback from England’s bowlers—including two wickets in two balls from Brown in the final stages—India held their nerve to reach 124 for 8 in 19.1 overs, sealing the win with five balls to spare.
The series now stands at 2-1 in England’s favour, with four matches still to play. The fourth T20I is scheduled for Friday, June 27, at Worcester.
Brief Scores:
England Mixed Disability: 123/9 in 20 overs (Angus Brown 77; Vivek Kumar 3/16, Ravindra Sante 3/8)
India Mixed Disability: 124/8 in 19.1 overs (Sai Akash 44)
Result: India won by two wickets
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