Visakhapatnam Stadium Unveils Mithali Raj, Raavi Kalpana Stands

The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) will dedicate two stands at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam to iconic Indian women cricketers Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana on October 12, coinciding with the India vs Australia ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match. This landmark tribute marks the first time the stadium has honored women cricketers in this way and follows an appeal by star batter Smriti Mandhana during the "Breaking Boundaries" fireside chat in August 2025, where she urged Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh to recognize leading women cricketers by naming stadium sections after them. Minister Lokesh acted promptly on Mandhana's suggestion, consulting the ACA which approved the proposal, highlighting a collective commitment to gender parity and acknowledging women's cricket trailblazers. Mithali Raj, a former India captain and one of the most accomplished batters in women's cricket history, and Ravi Kalpana, an Andhra-born wicketkeeper-batter, have both inspired generations and young girls across the region. This initiative aims to honor their contributions, elevate awareness, and inspire the next generation of women cricketers in India. The ACA-VDCA Stadium, which has hosted major cricket events including IPL matches, will unveil the Mithali Raj Stand and Ravi Kalpana Stand ahead of the high-profile World Cup fixture.