New Delhi, November 12, 2026: CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd., in association with Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), hosted a send-off and press interaction in New Delhi for the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind ahead of the Asia Cup 2026.
The event brought together the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind, Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder and Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, and Chairman, CABI, and Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia & MENA, CBRE. The occasion marked the team’s departure for Dhaka as defending champions, returning to compete for the Asia Cup title a decade after their last victory.
At the event, Anshuman Magazine spoke about CBRE’s continued partnership with Samarthanam and CABI, while Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar addressed the team’s preparations and the growth of blind cricket in India. Captain Durga Rao Tompaki shared insights into the team’s training, readiness and expectations for the tournament.
Anshuman Magazine and Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar handed over cricket kits to the team, recognising the players’ commitment ahead of the tournament.
Through its partnership with Samarthanam and CABI, CBRE is supporting the development of India’s men’s and women’s blind cricket teams, including specialised coaching, training and player welfare ahead of the Asia Cup. This forms part of Ek Pehal, CBRE India’s corporate social responsibility programme focused on building sustainable and inclusive communities.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia & MENA, CBRE, said, “Sport has the power to create opportunities, challenge perceptions and bring communities together. Through Ek Pehal and our partnership with Samarthanam and CABI, CBRE is committed to supporting India’s men’s and women’s blind cricket teams at every stage of their preparation. Our support covers player selection, nutrition, travel, professional training, health and physiotherapy and essential kits. We believe that giving athletes the right resources and support is essential to helping them perform at the highest level and earn the recognition they deserve. We are proud to back the team as they head to the Asia Cup 2026.”
Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder and Managing Trustee, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, and Chairman, CABI, said, “The Men’s Blind Cricket Asia Cup is an important platform for our players to showcase their exceptional talent, skill and competitive spirit on the international stage. Every player who wears the Indian jersey carries the aspirations of thousands of aspiring sportspersons with visual impairments across the country. Our endeavour has always been to ensure that talent gets the right opportunities, professional training and recognition it deserves. We are grateful to CBRE for coming forward as a committed partner through its CBRE Ek Pehal initiative and supporting the Indian Men’s Blind Cricket Team in its preparations for the Asia Cup. This support goes beyond the tournament; it strengthens the ecosystem for blind cricket through coaching, fitness, equipment and competitive exposure. We believe that when corporates, sporting institutions and communities come together, inclusion moves beyond intent and becomes meaningful action. I wish our team the very best as they prepare to represent India with pride and bring home another memorable victory.”
The Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind 2026 is scheduled in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November 15–20, 2026. India’s men’s team will compete to defend the title they won a decade ago.
CBRE India’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Ek Pehal, focuses on creating sustainable and inclusive communities through programmes spanning education, healthcare, nutrition, women’s empowerment, livelihood development, social security for migrant workers and community infrastructure. Through more than 12 NGO partnerships across India, the initiative has reached more than 5,10,000 lives.
Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind – Asia Cup 2026 Squad
| Sl No | Name of the Player | Sight Category | State |
| 1 | Naresh Tumda | B1 | Gujarat |
| 2 | Sanjay Kumar Shah | B1 | Delhi |
| 3 | Debaraj Behera | B1 | Odisha |
| 4 | Ashok Reddy | B1 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 5 | Praveen Kumar Sharma | B1 | Haryana |
| 6 | Mukesh Kumar Rawat | B1 | Delhi |
| 7 | Dunna Venkateshwararao | B2 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 8 | Rambir Singh | B2 | Delhi |
| 9 | Lokesha | B2 | Karnataka |
| 10 | Manish Kumar | B2 | Delhi |
| 11 | Nakula Badanayak | B2 | Odisha |
| 12 | Durga Rao Tompaki (C ) | B3 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 13 | Sunil Ramesh ( VC ) | B3 | Karnataka |
| 14 | Sukhram Majhi | B3 | Odisha |
| 15 | A Ravi ( WK ) | B3 | Andhra Pradesh |
| 16 | Dinesh Rathva | B3 | Gujarat |
| 17 | Deepak | B3 | Haryana |
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. The company has more than 155,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves clients through four business segments: Advisory (leasing, sales, debt origination, mortgage servicing, valuations); Building Operations and Experience (facilities management, property management, flex space and experience); Project Management (programme management, project management, cost consulting); and Real Estate Investments (investment management, development). Please visit www.cbre.com.
CBRE was the first international property consultancy to open an office in India, in 1994. Since then, the business has grown to more than 13,000 professionals across 17 offices, with a presence in more than 100 cities. In 2025, CBRE was named one of India’s Best Employers by TIME and Statista. In 2026, CBRE received the Leading IPC of the Year award at the ETNow.in Realty Conclave and Awards. CBRE provides clients with a broad range of real estate solutions, including Strategic Consulting, Valuations, Capital Markets, Leasing, Global Workplace Solutions, Property Management and Project Management. Please visit www.cbre.co.in.
About Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled
Founded in 1997, Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled is a Bengaluru-based non-profit organisation that supports persons with disabilities and underserved communities through education, skills development, livelihoods, sports and rehabilitation. Its programmes seek to expand access, strengthen independence and advance inclusion. For more information, visit samarthanam.org.
About the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI)
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), the sports initiative of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, is the apex body for blind cricket in India and is affiliated with the World Blind Cricket Council. CABI promotes and develops the sport, creating pathways for visually impaired cricketers to participate, excel and represent India internationally. For more information, visit blindcricket.in.
