In Visakhapatnam, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) recently honored two legendary women cricketers, Mithali Raj and Raavi Kalpana, by naming a stand and a gate after them at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium. This celebration highlights the growing recognition of women’s contributions to cricket in India.
The Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT, Nara Lokesh, along with notable figures like ICC Chairman Jay Shah and ACA President Kesineni Sivanath, inaugurated the new facilities. Mithali Raj is a standout in women’s cricket, holding the record for the most runs scored in international matches with over 10,800 runs, including 7 centuries. Her journey since her debut in 1999 has had a profound impact, especially leading India to two World Cup finals.
Lokesh reflected on Raj’s monumental influence, describing her as an institution in Indian cricket. He encouraged the emergence of future stars from Andhra Pradesh, inspired by Raj’s dedication. “It’s a matter of pride that a stand at the ACA–VDCA Stadium will forever carry her name,” he said.
Jay Shah supported this sentiment, stating that this tribute not only honors Raj but also encourages young girls in the region to pursue cricket. Notably, recent developments, like the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and equal pay for men’s and women’s national teams, indicate how women’s cricket is evolving in India. In fact, the ongoing WPL offers higher prize money than the men’s 50-over World Cup this year, illustrating the growing financial viability of the sport.
Kesineni Sivanath emphasized the significance of this recognition, heralding it as a celebration of Mithali’s contributions and of women’s cricket as a whole. Meanwhile, Mithali expressed her gratitude, acknowledging her roots in Vizag and the strong support she received from her family throughout her career.
Raavi Kalpana also shared her joy about being honored alongside Mithali. She expressed excitement about the future of women’s cricket, optimistic about more players from Andhra Pradesh making a mark on a national level.
The momentous event not only celebrated individual achievements but also reflected the collective journey toward gender equality in sports. As more young girls see role models like Mithali and Raavi, it becomes clear that women’s cricket continues to thrive in the heart of India.
For more on the impact of women’s sports, you can visit the ICC’s [official report](https://www.icc-cricket.com). It provides insights into how the sport is growing globally and the ongoing efforts toward equality in cricket.
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MITHALI RAJ, RAVI KALPANA, ACA VDCA STADIUM, MITHALI RAJ STAND, MITHALI RAJ STAND, RAVI KALPANA GATE INAGURATED AT VISAKHAPATNAM STADIUM
