For Ravi Kalpana, having her name etched into the concrete at the ACA-VDCA Stadium is as significant a moment in her life as her India debut in 2015.

Ahead of the Women in Blue’s World Cup clash with Australia, the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has decided to honour Mithali Raj and Kalpana by naming a stand after the former and the gate next to that stand after the latter.

“This is a big recognition. It’s a matter of pride to get something named after you, which will remain even if we are not there anymore. It was a dream come true to play for India. I had the same feeling when I got this news,” she told Sportstar.

“This was very unexpected. I am also very happy that the ACA is giving more importance to women.”

That she is getting honoured alongside Mithali, her idol, is just the icing on the cake for her. “Mithali Raj, no doubt, was an inspiration for me. I was inspired by her way of speaking and scoring; it’s not just about her cricket. To be honoured alongside her, I cannot express how great that feels.”

Happenchance

Kalpana, who represented India in seven ODIs, picked up cricket by chance.

“I didn’t even know I could play cricket when I first picked up the sport in 2009. I was studying in Bishop Azariah School in Vijayawada, which was an all-girls school. One day, someone from an association came and asked if anyone had an interest in cricket. They asked me if I would play cricket, and I said yes, as did a few others,” she recalled.

“That was the first time I played. I later came with my parents, and they signed a waiver, since there are always risk factors with sports, with injuries and all. They signed right away. I didn’t even have to ask them twice.”

Kalpana picked up the nuances of the sport very quickly and was just starting to do well when she hit a roadblock.

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“My entire family used to support my cricketing dreams, but we also did not come from a well-to-do background; it was a very hand-to-mouth existence back then. I then got a marriage proposal, and my parents thought that I would be settled in life if I got married. This was around 2012-13, I was around 17 years old,” she said.

“I, however, rejected it. Don’t get me wrong, parents wanting their daughters to get married and settle down is not a bad thing; my parents wanted that for me. But I fought back, with the help of my coach.”

While Kalpana’s parents were not easily convinced, they eventually agreed to let her pursue cricket.

“Srinivas Reddy, my coach, played a big role in convincing my parents to let me stick with my dream of pursuing cricket. He is the reason I am here, or I would have stopped playing midway,” she stated.

Smriti’s guidance

Kalpana also underlined Smriti Mandhana’s role in helping her ease into life with the national team.

“I bonded with all players, but Smriti was the one who guided me well and supported me. I remember how she took me aside and briefed me on how wickets would be in Australia when we toured in 2015/16,” she reminisced.

“She has supported many juniors, too. She talks to the new players in the team, and she is still the same. Even players now, like Anusha Bareddy and others, have told me how she helps youngsters. I really like her attitude.”

While Kalpana did not have a long career like her idol Mithali, she is happy with everything she could achieve and does not have a ‘what if’ bone in her body.

“I do not have regrets about my career. I only stopped playing due to health issues, nothing else,” she said, before quickly adding, “I am all good now, everything is fine.”

Published on Oct 11, 2025