From an unknown village in Nagaon to World Champion: Who Is Assam’s Simu Das?

Assam has found a new sporting inspiration in Simu Das of Nagaon, whose extraordinary rise from adversity to international cricket glory has captured the nation’s attention.

At a time when Riyan Parag and Uma Chetry have already brought pride to the state by securing their spots in India’s men’s and women’s national sides, Simu’s remarkable journey with the Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team has further strengthened Assam’s presence in the country’s sporting arena.

Born blind in a small village, Simu’s life began with unimaginable hardship. Her father abandoned the family the moment he learned of her condition, leaving her bedridden mother and disabled brother to struggle for survival. Growing up in acute poverty, Simu often didn’t know if she would get two meals a day. Yet, amid the darkness, a dream glowed stubbornly—she wanted to play cricket, a sport she had never been trained in and had no resources to pursue.

Everything changed when she discovered Battle for Blindness, an organisation dedicated to grooming visually impaired girls. For the first time, she found a safe environment with free accommodation, proper nutrition, and mentors who encouraged her ambition. With professional guidance, her talent flourished rapidly. Recently, during a bilateral India–Nepal series organised by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), Simu emerged as the Best Player of the Series, proving that resilience can rise above every obstacle.

Simu’s triumph coincides with a historic moment for the country. India lifted the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating Nepal by seven wickets in the final at Colombo’s P Sara Oval. After restricting Nepal to 114/5, India chased down the target in just 12.1 overs, powered by a blistering 44 off 27 balls from Phula Saren, who was named Player of the Match. The tournament, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, was held across Delhi, Bengaluru and Colombo, giving the championship a truly international platform.

Upon returning home, the Indian team received overwhelming applause. Their most cherished moment came when they met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who interacted warmly with every player, asked them about their performances, and even fed them laddoos. “It felt like a dream,” said one of the players. “He spoke to us like one of us, not like the Prime Minister.” Several players shared that while society once dismissed them because of their disability, they are now being celebrated in their villages and towns.

The champions were also felicitated in Delhi by the Nora Solomon Foundation, the CSR arm of Chintels Group, which awarded ₹1 lakh to each player for their historic achievement. Speaking at the ceremony, Chintels Group Director Prashant Solomon described the victory as “a proud moment for India,” emphasising the team’s courage and determination. Team captain Deepika TC reflected on their struggles—from limited infrastructure to the emotional weight of constant doubt—saying that winning the World Cup proved that “no journey is impossible when driven by courage.”

For Simu Das, this victory is more than a medal or recognition. It is the culmination of a battle that began long before she held a cricket bat. Today, she continues to train while learning typing and preparing for a government job, determined to secure a stable future for herself and her family. Her story stands as a powerful message for Assam and the nation: that disability is not a barrier, but a challenge that can be overcome with opportunity, support, and unbreakable spirit.

As India celebrates its first Blind Women’s T20 World Cup win, Assam proudly celebrates Simu—an emblem of hope, perseverance, and the unstoppable force of human will. 

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