Mithali Raj gets stand named after her at ACA-VDCA Stadium, calls it a ‘humbling feeling’
For Mithali Raj, the unveiling of a stand named after her at the ACA-VDCA Stadium here on Sunday was both a delightful and humbling experience.
The event was attended by the who’s who of international and Indian cricket – including ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, ICC chairman Jay Shah, Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird, and BCCI president Mithun Manhas.
“It is a humbling feeling to have a stand on your name. When we start playing cricket, we don’t really think about such things. To have my parents around [for the unveiling] was great,” the former India captain remarked.
The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) also honoured former wicket keeper-batter Ravi Kalpana by putting her name on a gate at the venue. Mithali believes that this will inspire more women to take up sports as a career.
ALSO READ: SA vs BAN, Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Buoyant South Africa faces persistent Bangladesh challenge
“Kalpana getting her gate is a huge thing for women’s cricket, at least in this part of the country. It will only get more girls to take up sport. Not necessarily cricket but any sport in general,” she opined.
“I am happy for her because you need to have somebody who is local to inspire the players and people here. Her story will resonate with everyone who resides here; they will feel that this is also a possibility for their children, for their girls.”
The 42-year-old also remarked how difficult it was for women from her generation to break through in a state where resources were scant.
“Kalpana, [Sabbhineni] Meghana, and others, these people have played with me and under me. For them, coming from Andhra Pradesh in those years, it was a huge thing to get picked for India at a time when resources were very less.”
Published on Oct 12, 2025
