Vizag Stadium to Honour Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana with Named Stands

In a landmark move to celebrate women's cricket and its icons, stands at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam will be named after legendary Indian cricketer Mithali Raj and former wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana. The stands will be officially inaugurated on October 12, ahead of India’s highly anticipated Women’s ODI World Cup clash against Australia.

The initiative follows a suggestion made by India opener Smriti Mandhana during the Breaking the Boundaries conversation series held in August, where she recommended the tribute to Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh.

"The ACA's tribute to Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana reflects a deep commitment to honouring the trailblazers who have redefined women's cricket in India while inspiring the next generation to dream bigger," the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) said in a statement.

Minister Lokesh echoed the sentiment, calling the move an important step toward gender parity in sport. "Smriti Mandhana's thoughtful suggestion captured a wider public sentiment," he said. "Translating that idea into immediate action reflects our collective commitment to acknowledging the trailblazers of women's cricket."

A Legacy Etched in Records

Mithali Raj, one of the most celebrated names in women's cricket, holds the record for the most runs in women’s ODIs, amassing 7805 runs in 232 matches at an average of 50.68, including seven centuries. She also scored 2364 runs in 89 T20Is and has India’s highest individual score in women's Tests — 214 — among her 699 Test runs. Raj retired from all formats in 2022 after a stellar 23-year international career.

Ravi Kalpana, who represented India in seven ODIs between 2015 and 2016, is hailed as a pioneering figure in Andhra women’s cricket. Her journey to the national side has inspired many upcoming cricketers from the region, including Arundhati Reddy, S Meghana, and N Shree Charani.

A Proud Moment for Andhra Cricket

The renaming of the stands marks a proud moment for women’s cricket in Andhra Pradesh, and the recognition of homegrown talent on a national stage. With the Women’s ODI World Cup currently underway, the timing couldn’t be more fitting.

The October 12 match between India and Australia is expected to draw a large crowd to the Vizag stadium, with the stand dedications serving as a significant moment in Indian cricket history.