WPL 2026: Why did Vaishnavi Sharma replace G Kamalini in Mumbai Indians squad?
Vaishnavi Sharma will join the Mumbai Indians for the rest of WPL 2026 for INR 30 lakh.
Mumbai Indians (MI) Women are aiming to defend their title in the ongoing Women’s Premier League 2026. The Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. witnessed a poor start in the tournament, losing the opening game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women.
Across five matches in WPL 2026 so far, they have won two games and lost three encounters. The two-time champions have roped in Vaishnavi Sharma into their squad as a replacement for wicket-keeper batter Gunalan Kamalini. Sharma is a left-arm spinner and will join the MI squad for INR 30 lakh.
She went unsold in the WPL 2026 mega auction. The left-arm spinner was part of India’s title-winning squad in the ICC U19 T20 World Cup 2025. She played a crucial role in India Women’s victory in the tournament by finishing as the leading wicket-taker for the side.
Last month, the 20-year-old spinner also made her international debut in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. The left-arm orthodox spinner featured in all five games, clinching five wickets at an economy of 6.26. She has been picked for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia Women in February.
Gunalan Kamalini has been ruled out due to an injury
Kamalini has been ruled out of the ongoing season due to an injury. Although MI Women did not specify the exact nature of her injury, they confirmed that she will not play in the remainder of the tournament.
The 17-year-old featured in all five games of MI Women, hitting an aggregate of 75 runs with a highest score of 32 runs in the tournament opener against RCB Women. MI picked her for a whopping amount of INR 1.60 crore in the auction after starting at a base price of INR 10 lakh.
Like Vaishnavi, Kamalini also made her international debut in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in December. However, she only played one match across five games, scoring 12 runs. Kamalini has also earned her maiden ODI call-up in the Australia Women’s tour next month.
Who has replaced injured Gunalan Kamalini in the MI Women’s squad for WPL 2026?
Vaishnavi Sharma has replaced injured Gunalan Kamalini in the MI Women’s squad.
When did Vaishnavi Sharma make her international debut?
Vaishnavi Sharma made her international debut in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in December 2025.
Who is captaining the Mumbai Indians Women in WPL 2026?
Harmanpreet Kaur is captaining the Mumbai Indians Women in the ongoing season.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.