Former India captain Mithali Raj will have a stand named after her at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on October 12. India and Andhra Pradesh wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana will also have a stand inaugurated in her name on that day.
India will take on Australia in the ODI World Cup clash at the venue on Sunday, the second match for the hosts at Visakhapatnam, following their match against South Africa on Thursday.
“The ACA’s tribute to Mithali Raj and Raavi 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.
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A report in The Hindu said that the idea behind naming the stands after the cricketers materialised after current vice-captain Smriti Mandhana had made a request, citing the absence of stands with names of women cricketers, during a fireside chat with minister Nara Lokesh at a “Breaking Boundaries” event in August 2025.
Lokesh is reportedly said to have spoken to the Andhra Pradesh Association (ACA) officials, who took the idea on board and executed it.
“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.
Raj is India’s and the world’s most successful ODI batter, in terms of runs, amassing 7805 runs in 232 matches at an average of 50.68. In a career spanning 23 years, she captained the side to two runner-up finishes at World Cups in 2005 and 2017. Raj announced her retirement from all forms of cricket in 2022 and has been working as a broadcaster in the ongoing World Cup.
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In November 2024, Raj was appointed as a mentor to Andhra’s women’s cricket team, with her primary responsibilities including to scout and nurture young talent across the state. Kalpana represented India in seven ODIs between 2015 and 2016. She last played for the country in 2016.
