Meet Ajay Kumar Reddy – SBI Officer and captain of Blind cricket team, Read his Story!!

Success does not come easy, especially when life takes away something as precious as eyesight. But Ajay Kumar Reddy proved that no obstacle is too big when one has passion and determination. Today, we bring you the success story of a farmer’s son from Andhra Pradesh, who rose to become the captain of the Indian blind cricket team and a true symbol of hope.

Ajay Kumar Reddy, born on 3rd June 1990 in Macharla, Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, is one of India’s most celebrated blind cricketers. Classified under the B2 category, he currently serves as the captain of the Indian national blind cricket team. Under his leadership, India has achieved historic victories in international blind cricket, including multiple World Cup titles and an Asia Cup triumph.

Early Life and Struggles of Ajay Kumar Reddy

Ajay Kumar Reddy was born in the family of farmers. In his childhood, he met with an accident that caused an infection in his left eye, leading to complete blindness. His right eye was also affected and he began to lose vision, but doctors managed to save it partially. On medical advice, his parents admitted him to the Lutheran High School for the Blind, Narsaraopet, in 2002 when he was 12 years old.

At school, Ajay was introduced to blind cricket, where visually impaired players could both bat and bowl. Unlike normal cricket, where his vision restricted him to bowling, blind cricket gave him the opportunity to excel in batting as well. This was the turning point that sparked his passion for the sport.

Ajay often remembers his late friend Nageshwara Rao, who played a crucial role in his cricketing journey. In 2006, while Ajay was still in the 10th standard, Rao took him to Hyderabad for the state team selection trials, arranged permissions from the blind school, and even covered expenses. Ajay performed brilliantly and was selected for the Andhra Pradesh state team, marking the beginning of his professional cricketing career.

He is also working as Deputy Manager in State Bank of India (SBI) – India’s largest public sector bank.

Career in Blind Cricket of Ajay Kumar Reddy

• 2010: Ajay debuted for India on a tour to England and won two Man of the Match awards.
• 2012: Appointed vice-captain of the Indian blind cricket team. Played in the inaugural Blind T20 World Cup, where he smashed a 33-ball century against England, helping India win the trophy under Shekhar Naik’s captaincy.
• 2014 Blind Cricket World Cup: His aggressive batting helped India chase a massive total against Pakistan in the final to lift their first-ever Blind ODI World Cup.
• 2016: After Shekhar Naik’s retirement, Ajay became captain of India. He led the team to victory in the inaugural Blind T20 Asia Cup, beating Pakistan in the final.

Captaincy and Achievements of Ajay Kumar Reddy

Ajay proved to be a dynamic and successful leader:

• 2017 Blind T20 World Cup: Took 9 wickets to become the leading wicket-taker and led India to defend the title successfully.
• 2018 Blind Cricket World Cup: Scored 63 runs in the final as India defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets to claim their second ODI World Cup.
• 2022 Blind T20 World Cup: Captained India to a hat-trick T20 World Cup title, making it India’s third in a row.
• 2023 IBSA World Games: Guided India to a silver medal in the men’s T20 cricket event.

Ajay is only the second Indian captain after Shekhar Naik to lift the T20 World Cup, and under his leadership, India has dominated blind cricket globally.

Education and Career of Ajay Kumar Reddy

After school, Ajay moved to Hyderabad for higher education. He completed his Bachelor of Arts from Aliya College, where he stayed in a hostel for blind students, many of whom were cricketers. This environment helped him improve his batting, bowling, and strategy.

He later joined the State Bank of Hyderabad (now merged with SBI) as a clerk and got promoted to the post of Deputy Manager. Balancing his banking career and cricket, Ajay continued to shine as a sportsman.

Awards and Recognition of Ajay Kumar Reddy

For his remarkable contribution to Indian blind cricket, Ajay Kumar Reddy was honoured with the Arjuna Award on 9 January 2024 by the President of India.

Legacy of Ajay Kumar Reddy

From a small village in Andhra Pradesh to captaining India on the world stage, Ajay Kumar Reddy’s journey is a story of determination, passion, and inspiration. Under his captaincy, India has won:

• 2 Blind T20 World Cups (2017, 2022)
• 1 Blind ODI World Cup (2018)
• 1 Blind T20 Asia Cup (2016)
• Multiple bilateral series
• Silver medal at IBSA World Games 2023

Ajay Kumar Reddy is not just a cricketer; he is an icon of resilience and leadership for millions across India.

Ajay Kumar Reddy’s journey reminds us that challenges are not roadblocks but stepping stones to greatness. Despite losing his eyesight, he never lost sight of his dreams. With resilience, hard work, and an unshakable belief in himself, he turned obstacles into opportunities and became a symbol of hope for millions. His story proves that no limitation can define your destiny—only your courage and determination can.