Gunalan Kamalini, the wicketkeeper-batter from Tamil Nadu, is one of the most promising players in the country. This left-handed batter has made a name for herself in the Women’s Premier League as well as in international cricket with her aggressive batting and composed mindset.
This 17-year-old young batter has impressed everyone with her game, which led to her getting a chance to make her India debut at a young age.
Personal Information
Full Name: Gunalan Kamalini
Born: July 20, 2008 (Tamil Nadu, India)
Age: 17 years
Batting Style: Left-hand bat
Bowling Style: Right-arm leg break
Role: Wicketkeeper
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Teams: Mumbai Indians Women, India Under-19 Women, India Women, Tamil Nadu Women
A Versatile Wicketkeeper-Bowler
Gunalan Kamalini is one of the brightest talents emerging in women’s cricket in India. She is a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter who possesses the skill to bowl leg spin, which makes her a versatile player. There are not many cricketers like her who possess all these qualities at such a young age.
Before getting entirely involved with cricket, Kamalini is a very experienced skater and has represented her state and won championships at the state level. This has greatly contributed to her agility and reflexes around the stump.
Early Shift to Cricket and Rapid Development
Only 12 years old, Kamalini chose to pursue her passion for cricket alone. Realizing her potential in bowling, her father advised her to work on it more. With proper training and guidance, she began to show rapid development in her game at such a young age that she marked herself as a very talented player in her age-group level of cricket.
Breakthrough Performance and Cricketer of the Year Award
Kamalini performed outstandingly in the 2023 Under-19 T20 National Championship by scoring 311 runs in a total of 8 matches. Such impressive performances resulted in Tamil Nadu winning the tournament.
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For her exemplary performance, she has been conferred with the Women’s Cricketer of the Year award by Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), which is a landmark achievement for her young and promising career.
Rise on the International Stage
In December 2024, Kamalini received a spot in the Indian Under-19 side. Kamalini impressed in the Women’s Under-19 Asia Cup when she gave her side a winning opportunity after scoring an unbeaten 44 off only 29 balls against Pakistan.
Her commendable performances also ensured that she was selected in the Indian squad to compete in the 2025 Women’s Under-19 World Cup to be held in Malaysia, thus further confirming that she is one of the brightest prospects that India has to offer in the women’s game.
Record-Breaking Entry into the Women’s Premier League
Kamalini etched her name in the annals of history in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), as she was acquired for a staggering 1.6 crores by the Mumbai team, making her the youngest as well as the costliest in the league.
She thus marked her maiden appearance in WPL on February 18, 2025, in a match in which she played for Mumbai versus Gujarat, and this was a major milestone in her career.
Training, Mentorship, & Future Prospects
Currently, Kamalini is working on improving her abilities at Chennai Super Kings Academy. Ex-cricket player from Tamil Nadu, Aarti Sankaran, is training her, and she has shown considerable improvement in her wicketkeeping skills. Due to her sound batting abilities and increasing experience, Kamalini is considered a prospect for the Indian women’s team.
Playing Style and Strengths
For her aggressive but aggregated mindset, Kamalini is known as one of the best T20 players. Since she is a left-handed batswoman, her spin bowling attack is excellent, and she is also able to score quickly without choosing poor shots.
Fitness, consistency, and a well-rounded skill set that she possesses qualify her as a very talented candidate to represent the women’s cricket team of India in the coming years.
Batting Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WT20Is | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 12.00 | 12 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WT20Is | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
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