Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana Gate Inaugurated At Vizag Stadium. The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) opened a stand named for former India captain Mithali Raj and a gate for wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam during India’s Women’s World Cup match against Australia. This brought visibility to women’s cricket on a world stage.
The request was inspired by Smriti Mandhana, who had recommended “that stadiums should recognise women cricketers” to help inspire future generations. Andhra Pradesh IT and Sports Minister Nara Lokesh endorsed the idea and worked with the ACA to make it happen. He called the act “a signal that women athletes should demonstrate the same confirmation and reverence as men.”
The Honourees: Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana
Mithali Raj, a player consistently regarded as one of the greatest women cricketers India has produced, played for 23 years with 7,805 runs in 232 ODIs, in addition to 2,364 runs in T20Is (89) and 699 runs in Tests (12). Her consistency and leadership have inspired generations of players. On the other hand, Ravi Kalpana is an Indian wicketkeeper-batter born in Andhra Pradesh, who played for India in 7 ODIs (2015-16) and became a role model for regional talent. The ACA dedicating a gate to Ravi Kalpana demonstrates the ACA’s commitment to recognizing contributions from players across all levels.
ACA President Kesineni Sivanath highlighted that this is a way to honour and promote opportunities and facilities for women’s cricket. Fans of cricket across India and commentators all welcomed the decision and said it was an overdue recognition of female athletes.
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By immortalizing Mithali and Ravi Kalpana in the architecture of the stadium, the ACA has set a standard for other state associations. The Mithali Raj Stand and Ravi Kalpana Gate not only reflect achievements of the sport’s past but also encourage young girls to play cricket, reinforcing that the merits and contributions of women in sport are in the spotlight.
