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Mithali Raj and Raavi Kalpana will be honored during a ceremony to rename the stands on Oct 12 during the high voltage India–Australia game to be held in Vizag.
India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana
The Andhra Cricket Association has announced that two stands at the ACA-VDCA Vizag cricket stadium will be dedicated to legendary Indian women cricketers Mithali Raj and Raavi Kalpana on October 12, 2025. This unveiling will coincide with the India vs Australia ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match in Visakhapatnam.
This decision was expedited following a request from star batter Smriti Mandhana during the “Breaking Boundaries” fireside chat in August 2025 with Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh. Mandhana highlighted the lack of stadium stands named after leading Indian women cricketers, particularly in Vizag. She suggested that naming stands in their honour would recognise their contributions to the sport and inspire the next generation of women to pursue cricket professionally.
In response to Mandhana’s appeal, Minister Nara Lokesh promptly consulted the Andhra Cricket Association, resulting in the swift decision to honour these cricket icons by naming stands after them at the Vizag stadium.
The ACA will inaugurate the Mithali Raj Stand and the Raavi Kalpana Stand on October 12, 2025, before the India-Australia match, marking a pioneering tribute to women cricketers at the stadium.
Minister Nara Lokesh stated, “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.”
Smriti Mandhana’s intervention at “Breaking Boundaries”, where leading cricketers discussed the stereotypes and barriers women face in sport, emphasised how visible honours in major venues can elevate awareness and inspire participation across India.
Honorees:
- Mithali Raj – Former India captain and one of the game’s most accomplished batters, a trailblazer who broadened the horizons for women’s cricket nationwide.
- Raavi Kalpana – Andhra-born wicketkeeper-batter whose rise from the state system to the India side has galvanised local talent and strengthened the pathway for girls in cricket.
Matchday details:
– Fixture: India vs Australia, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025
– Date: October 12, 2025
– Venue: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
Visakhapatnam, India, India
October 06, 2025, 13:56 IST
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