Mumbai Indians (MI) faced a big setback today. Their young wicketkeeper-batter, G Kamalini, is out of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. She picked up an injury, the team announced. This means a key player for MI won’t finish the tournament. Vaishnavi Sharma, a left-arm spinner and India international, joins the squad as her replacement. The defending champions brought her in for INR 30 lakh.
This news broke just hours before MI’s important match against Delhi Capitals (DC). The change forces a shift in team dynamics for a side already looking for consistency.
Young Talent Sidelined, New Roles Emerge
Kamalini, just 17, made an impact early. MI spent INR 1.60 crore on her at the WPL 2026 mega auction. She played all five of MI’s matches, scoring 75 runs and taking seven dismissals behind the stumps. Her absence leaves MI with only one specialist keeper, Rahila Firdous, who hasn’t played in the WPL yet.
Kamalini’s injury details remain unspecified. Neither MI nor the WPL released specifics. But she won’t be back on the field this WPL season. Her early exit is tough for the young talent who had a bright start.
Vaishnavi Sharma, the replacement, went unsold in the November auction. She brings spin bowling, not keeping skills. Sharma was part of India’s victorious U19 T20 World Cup squad in 2025. She also made her senior India debut in December 2025, taking five wickets in five T20Is against Sri Lanka. Her economy rate was 6.26, a solid number.
This swap changes MI’s balance. They’ve lost a keeper-batter but gained a strong bowling option. Vaishnavi’s spin could be vital on Kotambi pitches. She’s set for her WPL debut tonight, a quick turnaround.
Immediate Impact on Team Strategy
MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed the changes during the toss for the DC match. “We have four changes,” Kaur stated, “We have a new wicketkeeper coming in – Rahila. Kamalini got injured and is ruled out of the tournament. Vaishnavi Sharma comes back. She’s a left-arm spinner and is also making her debut today.” She also mentioned Ismail and Poonam returning, a lot of new faces for such a crucial game, as ESPNcricinfo reported.
Rahila Firdous will wear the gloves for MI. And Sharma steps right into the playing XI. These are big debuts in a high-pressure situation. Both young players have a chance to show what they can do immediately.
The WPL issued an official release confirming the change. “Mumbai Indians (MI) picked Vaishnavi Sharma as a replacement for G Kamalini for the remainder of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. Vaishnavi Sharma will join MI for Rs 30 Lakh,” the release said, with NDTV Sports covering the announcement.
WPL Standings and International Horizon
MI are two-time WPL champions. But this season has been a bit patchy for them. They sit second on the points table with two wins from five matches. They are tied with UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants but ahead on net run rate. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lead the table, unbeaten. DC is at the bottom, making tonight’s match key for MI to solidify their position.
The defending champions need to get back to winning ways. They’ve lost their last two games. This injury and the new players add another layer of challenge. But they also offer new opportunities.
Both Kamalini and Sharma share a common thread beyond this WPL event. Both were part of India’s T20I squad against Sri Lanka in December. And they both earned maiden ODI call-ups for India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia. That tour runs from February 15 to March 1, 2026. A one-off Test follows, as Indian Express highlighted.
Kamalini’s WPL season ends early. But she still has her international career ahead. Sharma gets a WPL debut and a shot at big league cricket. It’s a fast-moving game, and teams must adapt quickly. This situation shows just how quickly things change in professional sport.
Govind Singh 
Baishali Karmakar 
Annsly Raena