WPL 2026: 17-year-old Kamalini becomes youngest debutant in league history

NEW DELHI: At 17, Gunalan Kamalini is living a dream most cricketers spend a lifetime chasing. In the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, the Mumbai Indians prodigy etched her name into history by becoming the youngest player ever to debut in the tournament — a moment that announced the arrival of a special talent on the biggest stage of women’s cricket in India.Picked by Mumbai Indians Women for a staggering Rs 1.6 crore, Kamalini’s journey from the bylanes of Madurai to the WPL spotlight has been defined by grit, sacrifice and an unshakeable belief nurtured at home. Born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Kamalini grew up in a close-knit family. Her father, Gunalan, runs a transport business and made countless sacrifices to support her cricketing ambitions, while her mother Saranya stood firmly by her side, often taking difficult decisions to ensure her daughter could continue pursuing sport at a professional level.A left-handed wicketkeeper-batter who can also roll her arm over with leg-spin, Kamalini’s versatility has added to her value across formats — a key reason why Mumbai Indians’ scouts kept her on their radar.But cricket wasn’t her first sport.“I started with skating when I was nine,” Kamalini recalls. “I did that for about three years and won gold and silver medals. My brother was playing cricket, and I used to go and watch him at the academy. One day, I just bowled four or five balls — and everything changed.”What began as fun soon turned serious. Playing mostly with boys, Kamalini faced early resistance and bias. “I was usually the only girl in the match. People would say, ‘She’s a girl, send her in later.’ That hurt,” she admits. “But I worked harder on my batting and bowling. When I came back after a month or two, the same boys shook my hand and told me I was playing better than them. That moment meant everything.”Her rise demanded sacrifices. Regular travel from Madurai to Chennai for tournaments was financially and physically draining. At one point, the family discussed relocating, but her mother refused to compromise. “My mother said no — she believed in me completely,” Kamalini says.The emotional core of her journey lies in her relationship with her father. His health struggles left a deep impression on the young cricketer. “When I was a kid, I used to think, ‘If I play well, my daddy will be good.’ My mother would tell me not to cry because daddy shouldn’t cry,” she says softly. “Before every big match, I would go and take his blessings.”That emotional strength translated into performances. Kamalini’s first big international statement came against Pakistan, where she scored 44 not out, guiding India to victory and earning the Player of the Match award. “That was very special for me,” she says. “Winning a match for India is something else.”Then came the moment that changed everything — the WPL auction. “I was on the bus when people started calling me,” Kamalini recalls. “They kept saying my name is coming up — 15, 20, 25… and then Mumbai Indians. When such a big franchise picks you, it feels unreal.”Her WPL debut was surreal. Walking out with senior international stars, Kamalini kept things simple. “It was my first ball in the WPL. I just took guard and looked around — so many foreign players. I played my normal game. The ball was short, I cut it, and it went into the gap,” Kamalini said.