Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma Earn First India Call-Ups for T20I Series Against Sri Lanka
In an exciting development, G Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma have received their first call-ups to represent India in the upcoming five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads on Tuesday, marking the start of India’s campaign following their recent ODI World Cup victory.
Seventeen-year-old Kamalini was instrumental in India’s success at the U19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia earlier this year. She scored 143 runs across seven innings, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer with an average of 35.75 and a personal best of 56 not out. Kamalini first gained attention when she was purchased by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.60 crore during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction.
Making her WPL debut at just 16 years and 213 days old, Kamalini played for Mumbai Indians against Gujarat Giants at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. This achievement made her the youngest player to debut in the league. Mumbai Indians have decided to retain her for the upcoming WPL 2026 season, alongside notable players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Vaishnavi’s Rise as a Star Bowler
Vaishnavi Sharma also shone brightly during the U19 World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in six games at an impressive economy rate of 4.35. On January 21, she delivered a standout performance on her debut, claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul, which included a hat-trick against Malaysia in group play at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
By achieving a hat-trick, Vaishnavi joined the ranks of a select few bowlers in the tournament’s history, including South Africa’s Madison Landsman. However, she went unsold in the recent WPL auction in New Delhi.
Vaishnavi also had a strong showing at the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy, where she tied as the highest wicket-taker. Representing the Central Zone, she took 12 wickets in five matches, including a four-wicket haul, while maintaining an economy rate of 6.28.
India Women’s Squad for the T20I Series Against Sri Lanka
The following players have been named in the India Women’s squad:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain)
- Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain)
- Deepti Sharma
- Sneh Rana
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Shafali Verma
- Harleen Deol
- Amanjot Kaur
- Arundhati Reddy
- Kranti Gaud
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper)
- G Kamalini (Wicketkeeper)
- Sree Charani
- Vaishnavi Sharma
This squad promises a blend of youthful talent and experienced players, looking forward to an exciting series ahead.
