Ahead of the ODI game between India and Australia in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, the Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association has announced that two stands at the Visakhapatnam Cricket Stadium will be named after legendary cricketers Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana.
Andhra Cricket Association
Ahead of the ODI game between India and Australia in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, the Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association has announced that two stands at the Visakhapatnam Cricket Stadium will be named after legendary cricketers Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana. The move came after star batter Smriti Mandhana highlighted the absence of any stand named after women cricketers in the country.
The two cricketing legends would be honoured during a ceremony on 12 October during the game between India and Australia to be held in Visakhapatnam.
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The Andhra Cricket Association has announced that two stands in the ACA-VDCA Visakhapatnam Cricket Stadium would be dedicated to legendary Indian women cricketers Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana. The decision came after a recent event when ace cricketer Smriti Mandhana pointed out to AP minister Nara Lokesh that there were no stadium stands named after leading Indian women cricketers, including Vizag. She mentioned that the renaming of such stands would honour the contribution of women cricketers while also highlighting their contributions to the game. It would also inspire the next generation to take up cricket as a professional player.
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Accordingly, the ACA will inaugurate the Mithali Raj Stand and the Ravi Kalpana Stand ahead of the India–Australia match, in a first-of-its-kind tribute to women cricketers at the stadium. While former India captain and trailblazer cricketer Mithali Raj was one of the game’s most accomplished batters, a pathbreaking figure who broadened the horizons for women’s cricket nationwide, Andhra-born wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Kalpana’s rise from the state system to the India side has galvanised local talent.
Raj is also part of the commentary for the ICC Women’s World Cup, which has a bigger prize money than the Men’s one.
AP HRD minister Nara Lokesh said, “Smriti Mandhana’s thoughtful suggestion captured a wider public sentiment. Translating that idea into immediate action reflects our collective commitment to gender parity and acknowledging the trailblazers of women’s cricket.”
Before meeting Australia, India will play South Africa on 9 October at the same venue after defeating Sri Lanka and Pakistan recently.
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