Who Is G Kamailini? Know All About 17-Year-Old Debutant of India Women's Cricket Team Who Replaced Smriti Mandhana in Playing XI During IND-W vs SL-W 5th T20I 2025

On December 30, 2025, Gunalan Kamalini officially made her senior international debut for India in the fifth T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. The 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter replaced veteran Smriti Mandhana in the playing XI, marking a major milestone in a year that saw her rise from domestic age-group cricket to the highest level of the sport. Vaishnavi Sharma Spotted Abusing On-Field During IND-W vs SL-W 4th T20I 2025; Young Indian Cricketer's Reaction Goes Viral (Watch Video).

The current five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka serves as a critical preparatory ground for the Indian team ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in England. India has already secured an unassailable 4-0 lead in the series, providing the selectors with the leeway to experiment with the playing XI. The inclusion and trial of promising young talent like Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma is part of a strategic vision by Head Coach Amol Muzumdar to build a robust and versatile squad capable of challenging for the World Cup title.

G Kamalini's Record-Breaking Professional Career

Kamalini first drew national attention in December 2024, when she secured a staggering INR 1.60 crore deal with the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction. At the time, she was just 16 years old, and her signing remains one of the most significant investments for an uncapped player in league history. In February 2025, she became the youngest debutant in WPL history when she took the field for MI against the Gujarat Giants.

Early Life and Tactical Switch

Hailing from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Kamalini’s journey began not on the pitch, but as a state-level skating champion. She transitioned to cricket at age 11, inspired by her older brother. Although naturally right-handed, her father and first coach, Gunalan, trained her to bat left-handed to provide a tactical advantage. Her father’s dedication was so profound that he relinquished his business interests to support her career, even continuing to mentor her through significant personal health challenges. Smriti Mandhana Becomes Second Indian Women Cricketer To Reach 10,000 International Runs, Achieves Feat During IND-W vs SL-W 4th T20I 2025.

Proven Match-Winner

Before her senior call-up, Kamalini established herself as a elite finisher in the Under-19 circuit. She was a vital member of the Indian team that won the 2025 Under-19 T20 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer. Her reputation for "nerves of steel" was solidified in the 2024 U-19 Asia Cup final, where she earned Player of the Match honors for a match-winning 44* off 29 balls against Pakistan.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2025 07:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).