Mumbai Indians’ ₹1.6 crore buy at WPL 2025 auction stars with 44* off 29 in IND-W vs PAK-W U-19 Women's T20 Asia Cup match
One of Mumbai Indians' newest recruits in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction, G Kamalini, showcased her potential in the Women's U19 Asia Cup match against Pakistan on Sunday (December 15). The 16-year-old, a ₹1.6 crore buy in the auction, has slammed an unbeaten 44 off only 29 deliveries in the fixture in Kuala Lumpur.
While Kamalini is yet to play a match for India at the highest level, the teenage cricketer has supposedly been purely picked by the franchise at the highest level. Hence, the keeper-batter's unbeaten 44 against Pakistan bodes well for the franchise. It came after Sonam Yadav's four-wicket haul restricted the opposition to 67/7 in 20 overs.
Kamalini headlined the run-chase by hammering four fours and three sixes in her 29-ball knock. According to ESPN Cricinfo, the youngster played an integral role in Tamil Nadu's victory in the U19 domestic tournament, accumulating 311 runs in eight matches. Kamalini earned a spot in India's U19 squad for the Asia Cup on the back of top-scoring with 79 in the U19 tri-series final against South Africa.
The 16-year-old bowls spin and trains at the Super Kings Academy in Chennai.
Mumbai Indians won the inaugural season of WPL
Meanwhile, the Mumbai-based franchise, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, lifted the trophy in the inaugural season of 2022/23. Kaur and co. beat the Delhi Capitals in the tournament-decider by seven wickets.
Hayley Mathews, who plied her trade for Mumbai, emerged as the highest wicket-taker that year. However, Mumbai Indians reached only till the Eliminator stage in WPL 2024 as eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated them by a narrow margin of five runs. RCB, led by opener Smriti Mandhana, beat the Capitals in the final to win the trophy.
The schedule of the 2025 edition is yet to be announced by the BCCI.