Why was MI Wicketkeeper Kamalini Ruled Out of WPL?

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Why was MI Wicketkeeper Kamalini Ruled Out of WPL?

Synopsis

In a significant turn of events, MI's wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini will miss the remainder of the WPL season due to an injury. This opens the door for Vaishnavi Sharma, a promising young talent, to step in. As MI navigates a challenging season, this change could be pivotal in their pursuit of glory in the WPL.

Key Takeaways

  • Kamalini is out for the season due to injury.
  • Vaishnavi Sharma replaces her for the remainder of WPL 2026.
  • MI has struggled with only two wins in five matches.
  • Three league games left before the playoffs.
  • Both Kamalini and Vaishnavi earned maiden ODI call-ups for the Australia tour.

Mumbai, Jan 20 (NationPress) The wicketkeeper-batter of the Mumbai Indians (MI), G Kamalini, has been sidelined for the rest of the WPL season due to an injury. In her place, the defending champions have opted for Vaishnavi Sharma to fill the role for the remainder of the WPL 2026.

The young Kamalini, aged 17, participated in 5 matches this season before her injury forced her out.

In a statement, MI announced that Vaishnavi Sharma would join the team for a fee of Rs 30 Lakh for the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026.

Vaishnavi, a left-arm spinner, was part of India’s victorious ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup team in 2025 and has already played 5 T20Is for the national squad, taking five wickets.

Despite a rocky start to their WPL journey, with only two wins from five matches, MI has managed to maintain a second-place position on the points table due to their better net run-rate.

As they face the last three league matches before the playoffs, MI needs to regroup quickly, starting with their game against the bottom-placed Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi on Tuesday.

Interestingly, both Kamalini and Vaishnavi, who were part of the T20I squad that played against Sri Lanka last December, have received their first ODI call-ups for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia next month.

The Indian team is set to play three T20Is and three ODIs from February 15 to March 1, with a one-off Test scheduled in Perth from March 6 to 9. The squad for the Test match is yet to be announced.

Point of View

It is crucial to recognize the implications of injuries on team dynamics. The replacement of Kamalini with Vaishnavi Sharma not only showcases MI's commitment to maintaining a competitive edge but also highlights the importance of nurturing young talent within the sport. The upcoming matches will be critical for MI, and fans will be keenly watching how this transition impacts their performance.
NationPress
20/01/2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Kamalini out of the WPL?
Kamalini is sidelined due to an injury sustained during the ongoing WPL season.
Who is replacing Kamalini?
Vaishnavi Sharma has been named as the replacement for Kamalini for the remainder of the WPL 2026.
What has been MI's performance this season?
Mumbai Indians have had a tough start, with only two wins in five matches but remain in second place due to net run-rate.
When will MI play their next match?
MI is scheduled to play against Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, on Tuesday.
What upcoming tournaments is the Indian women's team involved in?
The Indian women's team will tour Australia for three T20Is and three ODIs starting February 15, followed by a one-off Test match.
Nation Press