Smriti Mandhana’s heartfelt suggestion to recognise India’s women cricketers has turned into reality. The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has announced that two stands at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam will be named after Mithali Raj and Ravi Kalpana. It is a move that celebrates their contribution to Indian cricket and will set an example going forward.
The Smriti Mandhana effect
The initiative was started by Mandhana’s conversation with Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh during the ‘Breaking Boundaries’ programme in August. At the event, Mandhana had pointed out that while stadiums across India have stands and gates named after male cricket icons, the same recognition has often eluded women players who have carried the sport forward with equal passion and achievement.
Her words found immediate resonance. Lokesh, acknowledging the sentiment, promptly consulted the ACA to turn the idea into action. The association then passed a resolution to dedicate two stands in honour of Mithali Raj, India’s highest run-scorer and former captain and Ravi Kalpana, the Andhra-born wicketkeeper-batter who represented India at the international level.
“Smriti Mandhana’s thoughtful suggestion captured a wider public sentiment. Translating that idea into immediate action reflects our collective commitment to gender parity and to acknowledging the trailblazers of women’s cricket,” Lokesh said as per Indian Express.
IND vs AUS World Cup match even more important now
The unveiling of the two stands will take place on October 12, the same day as India’s Women’s World Cup clash against Australia in Visakhapatnam. It would make a perfect sense and will add up to the build up.
The India vs Australia clash was always going to attract viewers since the two nations are perhaps the best in the tournament, also unbeaten so far. They recently were involved in a three-match W-ODI series that was tightly contested.
The stadium will host five matches in the ongoing Women’s World Cup, including India’s fixtures against South Africa on October 9 and Australia on October 12.
