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WPL's Youngest Debutant: A Madurai Girl's Cricket Dream
14 Jan
Summary
- Gunalan Kamalini, 17, debuted as WPL's youngest player.
- She was bought by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.6 crore.
- Kamalini overcame early gender bias in the sport.
Gunalan Kamalini, a 17-year-old prodigy from Madurai, has become the youngest player to debut in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025. Selected by the Mumbai Indians for a significant Rs 1.6 crore, Kamalini's entry marks a new milestone in Indian women's cricket. Her journey highlights remarkable resilience and unwavering family support from her parents, who made numerous sacrifices for her aspirations.
Kamalini, a versatile left-handed wicketkeeper-batter and leg-spin bowler, developed her skills despite facing initial resistance and gender bias, often being the only girl in matches. She recalls hurtful comments but found motivation in proving her capabilities to her male peers. Her family's commitment was evident in their willingness to travel extensively for her tournaments, even considering relocation to support her burgeoning career.
The emotional anchor of Kamalini's journey is her father, whose health struggles deeply impacted her. She attributes her drive to perform well to him, seeking his blessings before significant matches. A notable early achievement was her match-winning 44 not out against Pakistan, earning her Player of the Match and signaling her arrival on the international stage.
