When he was selected for the Blind Proteas to play in the World Cup in Pakistan last year, Mpumelelo Luthuli said it was because of him “working hard, pushing, and believing.” That attitude has again taken Luthuli to another milestone in his cricketing career. Now, Luthuli will be participating in a week-long 5-match series in India’s Bangalore. He says that he is ready, and so is the team. The Blind Proteas will take on India from 12 to 16 May 2025. All these T20 matches will kick off in the mid-morning. The blind Proteas are flying out of the country on 8 May 2025 and arrive in India the following day.
Mpumelelo Luthuli, a year one Information Technology student from KwaSanti, near Durban’s Pinetown, will be one of the six players from KwaZulu-Natal that are part of the 16-member team that is determined to win the series against one of the best teams in the world. Luthuli acknowledges this fact about India but says he is not scared. “I have heard stories about India; they are one of the hardest and best teams. I have watched their matches. But I cannot say much because I have not been in the field against them. But this is Cricket. I am always learning new things,” said Luthuli. Luthuli plays for Durban’s Dolphin’s Blind Cricket team.
Luthuli is a B2, fast bowler. A B2 blind person is an individual with low vision, often described as being able to perceive light and shadow. This individual can be able to distinguish the shape of an object held in front of their face up to a sight acuity of 2-60. These individuals can see at a range of only two metres what a fully sighted individual can see at 60 metres.
Luthuli says that it has always been a pleasure to be part of the squad. “I am always proud of myself for going this far to get to where I am today with blind cricket. It means a lot to represent my country,” said Luthuli. Luthuli is a right-arm fast bowler; he bats at number eight, a typical bowler’s position.
The other players from KwaZulu-Natal are Teboho Moloisane, the captain; Anathi Xelelo; Sphelele Khalala; Luthando Naki and Mathula Dlamini. The rest are from different provinces in the Republic.