In December 2025, a transmen team from Karnataka participated in a national-level cricket tournament for the first time. The odds were stacked against them. Yet the spirited group managed to reach the semifinals, in which teams from five other States participated.

“Participation was the only aim then. The hope was that we would be able to practice more regularly and prepare better for next year’s tournament,” says Aadhityanath, captain of the Karnataka team, which became second runners-up in the 2025 tournament.

The next tournament is scheduled to be held in Punjab in November this year. But their dreams of winning continue to be overshadowed by the struggle to access even basic facilities, such as practice nets and kits.

Multiple expenses

The third edition of the Transgender Persons’ Cricket Tournament is being organised by the Transgender Athletes Foundation and will be held on the Lovely Professional University campus in Punjab.

“A practice net would cost close to ₹1,400 per hour in Bengaluru. Booking nets for full days over several days is beyond our budget,” Aadhityanath says.

Most of the team members work small jobs to earn their livelihood. Some help out in textile shops, some work as cooks, and a few others work with NGOs. The team estimates that it will need ₹2,74,500 to cover the tournament expenses of all 13 players.

Major expenses apart from the nets include cricket kits, medical kits, and travel tickets.

Nets practice important

While Raahi, a Keralam-based non-profit that works on the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, helped cover a major portion of the expenses last year, this time the organisation is finding it difficult to offer financial support beyond a limit. The team has been practising occasionally at the grounds of RBANMS College.

“Practising in nets is very different from practising on a rough ground with gravel. Besides, the ground is not always available, making it difficult for us to maintain a consistent practice schedule,” Aadhityanath points out.

“We would like to practice throughout the year. But given the difficulty in accessing nets and gear, this becomes out of the question. Everything comes to a halt soon after a tournament,” he adds.

Talented team

Although the organisers provide train tickets for the team, the longer travel time means players have to take more days off work. Last year, several players reportedly faced difficulties at their workplaces as a result. But most cannot afford flight tickets.

“After last year’s tournament, three of us from the Karnataka team were selected for a national team to take part in the Rashtriya Cricket League that starts on October 22. But one player withdrew due to such difficulties,” Aadhityanath notes.

Amid the difficulties, he is hopeful, though. “It’s a talented team. But many don’t even know we exist. With the right support, we can go a long way. We hope we’ll be able to find that support.”