G.Kamalini becomes RISE worldwide's first-ever female athlete

RISE Worldwide, a Reliance company and India's leading sports, lifestyle and entertainment company, has signed rising cricket star Gunalan Kamalini as its first female athlete. The partnership comes ahead of the 2026 Asian Games and reflects the agency's commitment to supporting India's next generation of sporting talent.

Gunalan Kamalini has quickly established herself as one of India's most exciting young cricketers with impressive performances at the domestic, international and franchise levels. Her fearless approach and consistent rise have made her one of the country's brightest young talents and a player to watch in the years ahead.

As Kamalini's exclusive commercial and talent management partner, RISE Worldwide will manage her brand endorsements, strategic partnerships, appearances, licensing opportunities, digital content initiatives and long-term personal brand development. The partnership will allow her to focus on her cricket while building her profile off the field.

17-year-old Mumbai Indians star joins RISE Worldwide's roster alongside Rohit Sharma and Bumrah

The signing strengthens RISE Worldwide's cricket talent roster, which includes Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Sai Sudharsan. It also marks another step in the company's commitment to supporting India's next generation of cricket stars.

As Kamalini's exclusive commercial and talent management partner, RISE Worldwide will manage her brand endorsements, strategic partnerships, appearances, licensing opportunities, digital content and long-term brand development. This will allow her to focus on her cricket while building a strong personal brand off the field.

Speaking about the partnership, Nikhil Bardia, Head of RISE Worldwide, said, "We're delighted to welcome Kamalini to the RISE Worldwide family. She is an exceptional young talent whose performances have already shown the temperament, confidence and ambition needed to succeed at the highest level. We're especially proud to welcome our first female athlete to the talent roster, marking an important milestone for the agency."

Kamalini's rise continues — From WPL breakout to India's Asian Games squad to a landmark management deal

At just 17, Gunalan Kamalini has enjoyed a remarkable rise in Indian cricket. She began her journey with Tamil Nadu's U15 and U19 teams, winning a junior T20 title before earning national recognition. She played a key role in India's title-winning campaign at the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2025, finishing as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer.

Kamalini's success continued when she became the youngest player to debut for Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) after being signed at the age of 16. Her impressive performances in domestic cricket also earned her a maiden call-up to the Indian women's team, and she made her T20I debut against Sri Lanka at 17.

Her rise has continued with Mumbai Indians retaining her ahead of the WPL 2026 season. She was also recently named in India's squad for the 2026 Asian Games, making this landmark management partnership with RISE Worldwide another major milestone in her career.

What the RISE Worldwide deal means for Kamalini's career ahead of Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Expressing her excitement about joining RISE Worldwide, Gunalan Kamalini said, "I'm really happy to be joining RISE Worldwide. They've worked with some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, and I'm excited to be part of the team. Right now, my focus is on improving as a cricketer and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way. It's great to have a team like RISE supporting me as I chase my dreams, and I'm looking forward to this exciting journey together."

The partnership comes at an important stage in Kamalini's career as she prepares for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. With RISE Worldwide managing her commercial and brand opportunities, she will be able to focus on her cricket while building a strong and long-term personal brand off the field.

Kamalini's signing reflects RISE Worldwide's continued commitment to supporting India's most promising sporting talent. Through strategic talent management and long-term brand development, the agency aims to help athletes achieve success both on and off the field.