Who is G. Kamalini? Meet India's 17-year-old Asian Games pick

India's selection for the 2026 Asian Games has brought a new name into the spotlight. 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Gunalan Kamalini has earned her maiden senior call-up after being named in India's 15-member squad for the continental event, which will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Kamalini replaces Yastika Bhatia in the only change to the Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad that recently featured at the Women's T20 World Cup.

For Kamalini, this selection marks the biggest milestone of her young cricket career. The talented wicketkeeper-batter was part of the India A squad that toured England earlier this month, where she impressed with her performances and continued to strengthen her case for a place in the senior team. Her consistent progress has now been rewarded with a place in India's Asian Games squad.

Born and raised in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Kamalini's journey to the national team has been anything but easy. From training with limited resources to competing against some of the country's finest young cricketers, she overcame numerous challenges through hard work, determination, and unwavering support from her family and coaches. Her rise is a testament to her perseverance and dedication to the game.

As Kamalini prepares to represent India on one of Asia's biggest sporting stages, cricket fans are eager to learn more about the teenager who has taken such a significant leap in her career. Here's everything you need to know about Gunalan Kamalini, her early life, domestic journey, cricketing achievements, and the inspiring story behind her maiden Asian Games call-up.

From Madurai to India colours — Kamalini's rise through the ranks explained

Gunalan Kamalini

Gunalan Kamalini was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and has quickly established herself as one of the brightest young talents in Indian women's cricket. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter impressed at every level of age-group cricket. She represented Tamil Nadu in the U15 category before playing a key role in the state's U19 team that won the T20 title. Her consistent performances earned her a place in India's U19 squad for the 2025 ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup.

Kamalini enjoyed a breakthrough tournament at the 2025 U19 Women's World Cup, finishing as India's third-highest run-scorer. Her impressive batting caught the attention of franchises, and she created history by securing a TATA Women's Premier League (WPL) contract at just 16 years of age. She continued her excellent form in domestic cricket, scoring 275 runs in six matches during the 2025 U23 T20 tournament at an average of 55 and a strike rate of 138.88.

Those performances earned Kamalini her maiden senior India call-up by the BCCI for the home T20I series against Sri Lanka in late 2025. She made her international debut on December 30, 2025, at the age of 17. Although she is a wicketkeeper-batter, she played solely as a batter in her debut, with Richa Ghosh taking the wicketkeeping duties. Opening the innings, Kamalini scored 12 runs from 12 balls before being trapped lbw by Kavisha Dilhari. As of now, that remains her only appearance for the India women's T20I team.

Now, Kamalini has reached another major milestone in her career after earning a place in India's squad for the 2026 Asian Games. Her remarkable rise from Madurai to the national team reflects her talent, hard work, and determination, and she will be aiming to make the most of this opportunity on one of Asia's biggest sporting stages.

Why BCCI dropped Yastika Bhatia to hand Kamalini her maiden call-up

Gunalan Kamalini

Gunalan Kamalini earned her maiden Asian Games call-up after replacing Yastika Bhatia in India's 15-member squad. The decision came after Bhatia struggled during the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, where she scored only 41 runs in three innings at an average of 13.67. Kamalini, meanwhile, continued to impress with her performances at the domestic and India A levels, making a strong case for selection.

The 17-year-old was part of the India A squad that toured England in June 2026. She played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 35 runs from 24 balls in the T20 game at Northampton, scoring at a strike rate of 145.83 with four boundaries. Earlier, Kamalini had also starred in the 2025 ICC Women's U19 World Cup, finishing as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer with 143 runs in seven innings. Her unbeaten 56 against England in the semi-final was one of the standout knocks of the competition.

Kamalini's performances in the Women's Premier League also strengthened her credentials. Mumbai Indians signed her for INR 1.6 crore at the 2025 WPL auction and retained her ahead of the 2026 mega auction. She has played 14 matches across two seasons, scoring 107 runs at a strike rate of 104.90. She also made her senior India debut against Sri Lanka in December 2025. With Bhatia out of form and Kamalini consistently performing across different levels, the selectors rewarded the young wicketkeeper-batter with a place in India's squad for the 2026 Asian Games.

INR 1.6 Crore WPL deal to U-19 World Cup heroics — Her stats so far

Gunalan Kamalini's numbers show why she is regarded as one of India's brightest young cricketers. She has played one WT20I for India so far, scoring 12 runs on her debut against Sri Lanka in December 2025. Although her international career is just beginning, she has already impressed with her performances in domestic cricket and age-group tournaments.

At the domestic level, Kamalini captained the Tamil Nadu Under-19 women's team to the national title in 2024. She also finished as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer with 311 runs in eight matches. In the Women's Premier League, she has represented Mumbai Indians in 14 matches across two seasons, scoring 107 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 104.90. Behind the stumps, she has also taken seven catches and completed two stumpings.

Kamalini has continued her impressive rise with strong performances for India A, including an unbeaten 35 off 24 balls against England A in June 2026. She also starred in the 2025 ICC Women's U19 World Cup, where she finished as India's third-highest run-scorer. With success in domestic cricket, the WPL, India A, and now a place in India's Asian Games squad, the 17-year-old has established herself as one of the country's most promising young cricketers.