New Delhi: Mumbai Indians secured 16-year-old Tamil Nadu all-rounder G Kamalini, who is uncapped, for an impressive Rs 1.6 crore in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 mini-auction held in Bengaluru on Sunday. Starting at a base price of Rs 10 lakh, Kamalini attracted intense competition between Delhi Capitals (DCW) and Mumbai Indians (MIW), with MI ultimately winning the bid.
WHO IS G KAMALINI?
At just 16 years old, Kamalini is considered one of the most promising young talents in Indian cricket, with her recent performances gaining widespread recognition. The Tamil Nadu player was the second-highest run-scorer in the U-19 Women’s T20 Trophy, accumulating 311 runs across eight matches and guiding Tamil Nadu to victory in October. Renowned for her aggressive batting style, the left-handed batter hit 10 sixes during the tournament, highlighting her remarkable power-hitting skills.
Kamalini put up an exceptional display in the U-19 tri-series final against South Africa, scoring 79 runs for India ‘B’. This impressive knock earned her a place in the Indian team for the first-ever U-19 Asia Cup 2024 in Malaysia, where she has already made a strong impression. Previously, Kamalini played a key role in a crucial run chase against Pakistan at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur, contributing 44 runs off 29 balls.
Kamalini’s adaptability adds to her worth. As a left-handed batter and occasional bowler, she has also stepped in as a wicketkeeper in several age-group tournaments. Her multi-faceted abilities make her an important player, not only for Mumbai Indians but also for the Indian U-19 team, which she is likely to represent at the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia next year.
Kamalini wasn’t the only highlight for Mumbai Indians. The team also acquired South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk at her base price of Rs 30 lakh. A crucial contributor for Royal Challengers Bangalore in WPL 2024, de Klerk adds significant international experience to the squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur.
West Indies’ power-hitting all-rounder Deandra Dottin and Mumbai batter Simran Shaikh also secured substantial deals in the WPL 2025 player auction on Sunday. Deandra, one of just three players with a reserve price of Rs 50 lakh, saw intense competition between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz before being signed by the Adani Sportsline-owned team for Rs 1.7 crore.
The most significant development in the auction so far has been the deals for uncapped players like Simran, who was secured by Gujarat Giants for Rs 1.9 crore after surpassing Delhi Capitals. Simran, who played for UP Warriorz in WPL 2023, was part of the Mumbai team that won the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy and the India E team that claimed the Challenger Trophy.
Top Picks in the Auction:
Deandra Dottin – Rs 1.70 crore (Gujarat Giants)
G Kamalini – Rs 1.60 crore (Mumbai Indians)
Nadine de Klerk – Rs 30 lakh (Mumbai Indians)
Simran Shaikh – Rs 1.90 crore (Gujarat Giants)
Nandini Kashyap – Rs 10 lakh (Delhi Capitals)
N Charani – Rs 55 lakh (Delhi Capitals)
Prema Rawat – Rs 1.20 crore (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
