In a truly momentous occasion for Indian women's cricket, the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam today unveiled a stand and a gate named after two legendary figures: the 'Mithali Raj' Stand and the 'Ravi Kalpana' Gate. The dedication ceremony, held on the day of India's ICC Women's World Cup clash against Australia, marks a historic first for the venue in honouring its female cricketing icons.

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It is also only the 3rd International stadium in India to do so, after the legendary Eden Gardens, which has a stand named after Jhulan Goswami, and the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, which has two gates named after Anjum Chopra. It will now stand as a powerful statement of gender parity and recognition for female athletes.

This historic moment was born from a simple yet profound observation made by Smriti Mandhana, who went on to showcase her fireworks later in the game against Australia. During a fireside chat titled ‘Breaking Boundaries’ with Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh in August 2025, Mandhana pointed out the notable absence of stadium structures named after women cricketers. Her appeal was immediately taken into consideration.

“Smriti Mandhana’s thoughtful suggestion captured a wider public sentiment,” said Minister Lokesh, acknowledging the reason behind the swift decision. “Translating that idea into immediate action reflects our collective commitment to gender parity and to acknowledging the trailblazers of women's cricket.”

The tributes honour two figures whose careers define what Women's cricket is all about. Mithali Raj is quite simply a legend. The former India captain stands as the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket and a figure who tirelessly elevated the profile of the game over her 23-year career.

Equally inspiring is Ravi Kalpana, honoured with a gate, whose story is an inspiration for local talent. An Andhra-born wicketkeeper-batter, Kalpana became the first woman from the state to wear the India blue, representing the nation in seven ODIs between 2015 and 2016. “This is a big recognition. It’s a matter of pride to get something named after you... To be honoured alongside [her idol] Mithali, I cannot express how great that feels,” Kalpana stated as reported by The Hindu.