In Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh’s biggest cricket ground received a special tribute on Sunday. The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) named a stand after India’s legendary woman batter Mithali Raj and a gate after fellow star Raavi Kalpana at the ACA‑VDCA Cricket Stadium.
The ceremony was led by Andhra’s Minister for IT, Electronics, RTG and HRD, Nara Lokesh. He walked the new stand and the new gate before hand‑shaking with ICC Chairman Jay Shah, ACA President Kesineni Sivanath, and many other cricket dignitaries.
Key ICC guests included CEO Sanjog Gupta, Cricket Australia Chairman Mike Baird, and ICC CEO Todd Greenberg. The Indian board representatives were BCCI President Mithun Manhas, Secretary Devajit Saikia and Joint Secretary Prabhtej Bhatia. ACA officials on hand were Secretary Sana Sathish Babu, Vice‑President Bandaru Narasimha Rao, Treasurer Dandamudi Srinivas, Joint Secretary B Vijay Kumar and Councillor Dantu Gour Vishnu Tej.
Mithali Raj, whose name has become synonymous with Indian women’s cricket, will spend her career batting for 23 years, scoring 10,868 runs across all formats. She led India to two ODI World‑Cup finals and captained the side in over 150 matches. Her impact on the sport remains unmatched.
At the unveiling, Minister Lokesh handed Mithali a limited‑edition, handcrafted silver cricket ball bearing the ACA logo. “Mithali is not just a name but an institution in Indian cricket,” he said. “Her legacy inspires thousands of girls to dream of representing India. Naming a stand after her is a pride for Andhra Pradesh.”
ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the gesture. “Mithali’s achievements resonate worldwide,” he told the crowd. “This stand will encourage more girls to take up cricket in the region and motivate emerging talent to aim higher.”
The ACA raised its profile by becoming the first association in India to name a stand after a living cricketer. “We are thrilled to honor this living legend,” said Kesineni Sivanath. “It underscores the growth of women’s cricket in Andhra and across India.”
Mithali touched the stand during the ceremony, thanking the government, the ACA, and her family. “Vizag has always been special to me; it’s where I learned the game,” she said. “This honour reflects how far women’s cricket has come.”
Raavi Kalpana, a rising star from the state, also expressed her excitement. “Getting honoured next to Mithali didi is a dream come true,” she said. “I’m grateful to Minister Lokesh and I hope many more girls from Andhra will follow in our footsteps.”
The naming ceremony highlighted the rapid rise of women’s cricket in India. The Women’s Premier League has brightened careers, and the ICC continues to push for pay parity. The recent tournament offered prize money that surpasses the 2023 men’s World Cup, showing that the game is financially viable for women too.
Overall, the ACA‑VDCA Stadium’s new Mithali Raj stand and Raavi Kalpana gate will stand as a lasting tribute to two of Andhra Pradesh’s finest cricketers—celebrating her legacy and inspiring future generations of women cricketers.
Source: aninews
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