Visakhapatnam, Oct 12 (NationPress) ICC Chairman Jay Shah acknowledged the invaluable contributions of two of Andhra Pradesh's most prominent female cricketers — Mithali Raj and Raavi Kalpana — during a special ceremony held by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) on Sunday. The ACA honored them by naming a stand and a gate after them at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium.

The inauguration of the stand and gate took place just prior to India’s pivotal Women’s ODI World Cup match against Australia.

During his speech, ICC Chairman Jay Shah expressed, “I commend the Andhra Government and ACA for this remarkable initiative. Mithali Raj’s journey and her accomplishments are celebrated worldwide, so dedicating a stand in her honor is a fitting tribute to her legacy. I believe this recognition will foster support for women’s cricket in the region, motivate young girls to engage with the sport, and encourage aspiring cricketers to achieve greater heights,” he remarked.

The event was inaugurated by Nara Lokesh, the Minister for IT, Electronics, RTG, and HRD of Andhra Pradesh, along with ICC Chairman Jay Shah, ACA President Kesineni Sivanath, and numerous cricketing dignitaries.

Notable attendees included ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, Cricket Australia Chairman Mike Baird, and CEO Todd Greenberg. Additionally, BCCI President Mithun Manhas, Secretary Devajit Saikia, and Joint Secretary Prabhtej Bhatia were present.

Mithali Raj, renowned as India's most celebrated female cricketer, holds the record as the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket with 10,868 runs across all formats, including seven centuries and 85 fifties. Her international career, which began in 1999, includes leading India to two ODI World Cup finals, and she remains the only Indian woman to have captained the national team in over 150 ODIs. Her remarkable career, lasting 23 years, exemplifies her excellence, consistency, and pivotal role in advancing women’s cricket in India.

During the ceremony, the Minister presented Mithali with a limited edition handcrafted silver cricket ball featuring the ACA logo.

In unveiling the Mithali Raj Stand and Raavi Kalpana Gate, Nara Lokesh stated, “Mithali Raj is not merely a name; she represents an institution in Indian cricket. She has been a trailblazer and a role model for countless young girls aspiring to wear the Indian colors. It is a tremendous honor for Andhra Pradesh to have a stand at the ACA–VDCA Stadium bearing her name. The Andhra Government is committed to honoring one of the finest cricketers our nation has ever produced. I hope to see hundreds of Mithalis emerge from our state and serve the nation with the same dedication and distinction she has displayed for 23 years.”

The establishment of a stand in Mithali's name at the ACA–VDCA Stadium symbolizes the global expansion of the sport and the significant progress women’s cricket has made in India. The launch of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and equal match fees for men's and women's senior national teams have transformed the game into a financially viable profession. The ICC has also made strides toward achieving pay equity, with the current edition offering a prize money pool that surpasses that of the 2023 men's 50-over World Cup.

In response to this honor, Mithali Raj shared, “It is an incredible honor and privilege to have a stand named after me in Vizag. I am deeply thankful to the Andhra Government, the Andhra Cricket Association, and its officials for this recognition.

“Vizag has always been a significant part of my journey. It is where I dedicated countless hours to honing my skills, mastering the game, and evolving into the cricketer and individual I am today. Witnessing the progress women’s cricket has made fills me with immense pride. My sincere appreciation goes to the ICC and its Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah, for their unwavering support of women’s cricket. The game today is flourishing, filled with opportunities, belief, and extraordinary talent. Finally, I want to thank my family, who have been my strongest supporters throughout this journey. This honor belongs to them as much as it does to me.”

Expressing her gratitude, Raavi Kalpana said, “This is a dream come true. Being honored alongside my captain, Mithali didi, is something I could never have imagined. I extend my thanks to Hon’ble Minister Nara Lokesh gaaru. Andhra has produced exceptional players, and I am confident that in the future, more girls from our state will make the nation proud,” she added.