Biography

Gunalan Kamalini is an emerging star in Indian women's cricket, known for her versatility as a left-handed batter, wicketkeeper, and leg-spin bowler. Kamalini first gained recognition in sports as a state-level skating champion before shifting her focus to cricket at the age of 12. Encouraged by her father after displaying a natural flair for bowling, she quickly honed her skills and progressed through the ranks.

Kamalini made a name for herself during the 2023 Under-19 Twenty20 National Championship, where she played a crucial role in Tamil Nadu’s triumph, scoring 311 runs in eight matches. Her impressive performances earned her the Women’s Cricketer of the Year award from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. Her growing reputation led to an international debut for the India Under-19 team in December 2024, where she showcased her batting prowess with an unbeaten 44 off 29 balls against Pakistan in the Women’s Under-19 Asia Cup.

In 2025, she was selected for India’s squad for the Women’s Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia, further cementing her status as one of the country’s most promising young cricketers. That same year, Kamalini made history by becoming the youngest player to be signed in the Women’s Premier League when Mumbai secured her for ₹1.6 crore. She later became the youngest player to debut in WPL history, taking the field for Mumbai on February 18, 2025, against Gujarat.

Training at the Chennai Super Kings Academy, Kamalini is guided by former Tamil Nadu cricketer Aarti Sankaran, who has praised her rapid development, particularly in wicketkeeping. With her dynamic batting, adaptability, and relentless dedication, Kamalini is poised to become a key figure in Indian women’s cricket in the years to come.