On Sunday, October 12, 2025, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) unveiled a Mithali Raj stand at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam (Vizag). This special moment was part of the proceedings before the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match between India and Australia.
This new “Mithali Raj stand” honours one of India’s greatest women cricketers, recognizing her years of service, achievements, and inspirational journey. In the same ceremony, a “Raavi Kalpana Gate” was also inaugurated to honour former India wicket-keeper batter Raavi Kalpana.
Below is a full account of the ceremony, remarks, background, and what this means for women’s cricket in India.
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Mithali Raj stand :Ceremony and dignitaries
The inauguration of the Mithali Raj stand and Raavi Kalpana Gate took place at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in the presence of many distinguished guests.
Key attendees included:
- Nara Lokesh, Minister of IT, Electronics, RTG and HRD for Andhra Pradesh, who officially unveiled the stand and gate.
- Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, who addressed the audience and lauded the gesture.
- Sanjog Gupta, CEO of ICC, also participated in the ceremony.
- Officials from ACA, such as President Kesineni Sivanath, Secretary Sana Sathish Babu, and others.
- Representatives from BCCI, including President Mithun Manhas, Secretary Devajit Saikia, and Joint Secretary Prabhtej Bhatia.
During the inauguration, Minister Lokesh handed over a limited edition silver cricket ball embossed with the ACA logo to Mithali Raj as a token of honor.
The moment was emotionally charged. Lokesh praised Mithali Raj as “not just a name but an institution” in Indian cricket, and said it is a matter of pride for Andhra Pradesh that a stand will forever bear her name.
Words from Mithali Raj and Raavi Kalpana
In her speech, Mithali Raj expressed deep gratitude and emotion about seeing a stand named after her at Vizag.
“It is a true honour and privilege to have a stand named after me at Vizag. Vizag has always held a special place in my journey. It is where I spent countless hours honing my skills… To see how far women’s cricket has come fills me with immense pride.”
She also thanked the ACA, the Andhra Government, ICC, and everyone who supported her through the years. icc+1
Raavi Kalpana, honoured with the gate, also shared heartfelt words:
“Getting honoured alongside my skipper Mithali didi is something I couldn’t have thought of in my wildest imagination… Andhra has produced quality players, and I am sure many more girls from our state will make the country proud.”
She said the tribute meant more than she could express, and it was a dream come true. The Tribune+1
Why this tribute matters
Naming a stadium stand after a cricketer is a powerful and visible honor. The Mithali Raj stand is not just a gesture of respect — it is a public recognition of her legacy, especially for women’s cricket in India.
Some key reasons why this tribute is significant:
- Celebrating a living legend
Mithali Raj played international cricket for over two decades. She represented India in 232 ODIs, 89 T20Is, and 12 Tests. She is women’s cricket’s all-time highest run getter, with over 10,868 runs across formats.
Recognizing her while she is still alive gives her a chance to witness and celebrate the respect and love of fans. - Inspiration for young girls
The Mithali Raj stand will stand as a symbol for young girls who dream of playing cricket. It shows that women cricketers too can achieve lasting legacy and public memory. - Boosting women’s cricket in Andhra Pradesh and India
This tribute draws attention to the importance of investing in women’s sports. Through such honors, local associations and governments signal that women’s cricket matters. ICC Chairman Jay Shah himself said that naming a stand after Mithali will “galvanise support for women’s cricket in the region” and inspire more girls to take up the sport. - Recognition at a grand stage
The unveiling was done in the backdrop of a World Cup match, giving the Mithali Raj stand national and international visibility. It’s a statement that women’s cricket should be held at par with men’s in terms of recognition. icc
Background: how the decision came about Mithali Raj stand
The idea to name a stand after Mithali Raj and a gate after Raavi Kalpana is rooted in a suggestion made earlier by India cricketer Smriti Mandhana. During a “Breaking Boundaries” chat with Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh in August 2025, Mandhana proposed that the stadium should honour women cricketers in a meaningful way.
Lokesh responded positively and coordinated with the ACA to make this proposal a reality.
Before this, the stadium already had stands named after male cricketers such as MSK Prasad and Venugopal Rao.
Thus, the move to name a Mithali Raj stand marks a landmark shift in how stadiums commemorate women athletes — bringing women’s names to the forefront in a venue known for cricketing heritage.
About the ACA-VDCA Stadium
For context, the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium is located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Wikipedia
- It was established in 2003 and later named Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium.
- It gained Test status in 2015 and has hosted international matches in all three formats.
- It has also been used for IPL matches; in recent years, teams like the Delhi Capitals have used Vizag as a home venue. Wikipedia
Thus, the Mithali Raj stand joins a legacy of significant matches, memories, and cricketing moments held at this stadium.
Responses from officials & reactions
ICC Chairman Jay Shah praised the Andhra Government and ACA for making this gesture. He said:
“Mithali Raj’s journey … resonates across the cricketing world so naming a stand after her is a befitting tribute to her legacy.” He added that this move could inspire more young girls and strengthen support for women’s cricket. icc+1
ACA President Kesineni Sivanath shared that the association is proud to honour a living legend. He said this recognition will be remembered for generations to come and celebrates not just Mithali’s achievements, but women’s cricket as a whole.
From the state government side, Minister Nara Lokesh remarked that the decision was a fulfillment of commitment towards gender equality in sports. He expressed a desire to see many more “Mithalis” emerge from Andhra Pradesh.
Legacy & what comes next
The Mithali Raj stand now becomes part of the physical and cultural infrastructure of Indian cricket. Each match held there will carry the memory of her contributions.
Going forward, the stand may become a pilgrimage spot for fans of women’s cricket. Schools, local cricket academies, and young players may visit or draw inspiration from it.
Symbolic gestures like these can help push for further steps — better facilities for women players, more local tournaments, equal pay, and greater media coverage.
Moreover, this stand ensures Mithali Raj’s name remains visible for posterity — as long as cricket is played in Vizag, her legacy will find a home.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the Mithali Raj stand at the ACA-VDCA Stadium is much more than a naming ceremony. It is a bold, thoughtful recognition of a cricketer who shaped the history of women’s cricket in India. It symbolizes respect, hope, and inspiration.
By honoring Mithali Raj in this way, the ACA and the Andhra Government have sent a message: women’s cricket is worth celebrating, preserving, and elevating.
As the match between India and Australia went ahead that day under the shadow of the new Mithali Raj stand, it became a moment where past, present, and future of women’s cricket met at Vizag — and a new legacy began.
