Diana Edulji, one of Indian women’s cricket’s most influential figures will be permanently honoured at Wankhede Stadium after the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) decided to name Gate No. 5 at the iconic venue after her.
The announcement was made by the MCA’s Apex Council as part of a series of recognitions for cricketing greats. The move places Edulji alongside a select group of cricket legends whose contributions to the sport are enshrined in the very architecture of one of India’s most famous cricket grounds. Other tributes include a stand named after former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri and gates dedicated to Dilip Sardesai and Eknath Solkar, further deepening Wankhede’s connection with India’s cricket heritage.
Edulji, who captained India’s women’s team and later became a prominent administrator, said the honour was deeply meaningful. “I would like to thank the MCA president and the Apex Committee for naming Gate No. 5 after me,” she said, “It’s a double honour for me, as naming the gate after me recognises not only my cricket but also my contribution to Railway Sports.”
Edulji’s playing career was remarkable in an era when opportunities and visibility for women’s cricketers were limited. A left-arm orthodox bowler, she represented India in both Tests and One-Day Internationals (ODIs), establishing herself as one of the country’s most reliable performers.
One of her standout achievements came during India’s six-match Test series against the West Indies on home soil, where she took 17 wickets, the second-most by any player in the series helping India to a 1-1 scoreline with four draws. By 1978, Edulji had taken over as India’s captain, leading the team with distinction through challenging tours and evolving competition.
When she retired from international cricket in the early 1990s, Edulji held — and still holds the record for the most deliveries bowled by any woman in Test history, a testament to her durability. Only two women have taken more Test wickets than her, underscoring her standing among the game’s great bowlers.
Edulji was also a key figure at three ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups, captaining India at two of those tournaments. At her final World Cup in England in 1993, she finished tied for third on the tournament’s wicket-taking list with 14 scalps, reinforcing her status as one of the competition’s most effective bowlers. Her contributions were recognised with some of India’s top honours.
Edulji’s influence extended well beyond her playing days. She played a pivotal role as an administrator with Western Railways, where she worked for much of the 2000s and 2010s advocating for equal opportunities and infrastructure for women’s cricket. Edulji retired from her administrative position in early 2016, but her legacy continues to shape the women’s game.
Edulji’s list of honours reflects her pioneering status: she was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2023, becoming the first Indian woman cricketer to receive that distinction, and she was a recipient of both the Arjuna Award (1983) and the civilian honour of Padma Shri (2002) for her contribution to sport in India.
The MCA’s decision to dedicate part of Wankhede Stadium to Edulji comes at a time when Indian women’s cricket is enjoying unprecedented visibility and success, driven in part by the players and administrators who laid the groundwork decades earlier. With crowds filling the stands for high-profile matches and international fixtures, placing Edulji’s name at a major stadium entrance ensures that her legacy will remain visible to fans of all ages and genders.
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