In a historic first for women’s cricket in India, two stands at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam will be named after former India captain Mithali Raj and Andhra-born wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana. The dedications will be inaugurated on October 12 during the marquee ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash between India and Australia.
Landmark tribute inspired by Mandhana’s push for recognition
This first-of-its-kind gesture was sparked by Smriti Mandhana, who, during a “Breaking Boundaries” fireside chat in August 2025, urged Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh to address the lack of stadium tributes to iconic women cricketers—specifically highlighting the absence at the Vizag venue.
Mandhana emphasized that renaming stadium sections would not only honour past greats like Raj and Kalpana but also “inspire the next generation of women to enter cricket as a profession.”
Fast-track decision from ACA and Andhra government
The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) acted swiftly in response. AP Minister Nara Lokesh immediately took up the matter with the ACA, which quickly approved the proposal to recognize two of the most influential figures in women’s cricket from the region and the country.
“Smriti Mandhana’s thoughtful suggestion captured a wider public sentiment. Translating that idea into immediate action reflects our collective commitment to gender parity and to acknowledging the trailblazers of women’s cricket,” Lokesh said.
Honouring icons who shaped Indian women’s cricket
The Mithali Raj Stand pays tribute to one of the greatest batters in the history of the game. As India’s longest-serving captain and a pioneer in elevating the visibility and credibility of women’s cricket nationally and globally, Raj’s name will now be permanently etched into the stadium’s legacy. Raj is also part of the commentary panel for the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup, a tournament now offering greater prize money than its men’s counterpart—a testament to the sport’s evolving landscape.
The Ravi Kalpana Stand honours a homegrown success story. A wicketkeeper-batter who rose through the Andhra domestic system to represent India, Kalpana’s journey is widely seen as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring young girls across the state.
A symbolic step forward for gender parity in Indian cricket
The unveiling of the two stands is more than ceremonial—it’s a visible, enduring recognition of women’s contributions to Indian cricket. This decision also marks a meaningful shift in how stadiums and institutions across India might look to celebrate female athletes going forward.
The tribute will take place just days after India’s World Cup fixture against South Africa on October 9, and ahead of their much-anticipated encounter with Australia in Visakhapatnam.
With this move, the ACA-VDCA Stadium becomes the first major cricket venue in India to dedicate stands exclusively to women cricketers, setting a powerful precedent for the sport’s future.
