Mumbai Indians have named left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Premier League 2026 due to injury.
The franchise confirmed that Vaishnavi Sharma will join the squad at a contract value of INR 30 lakh. Kamalini had featured in all five of Mumbai Indians’ matches this season before her injury setback brought her campaign to an early end.
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G Kamalini In WPL 2026 Before Injury
G Kamalini was used aggressively at the top of the order by Mumbai Indians, opening the batting in every game she played. Across five matches, she showed flashes of intent and range, including a top score of 32 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
While her wicketkeeping drew mixed reviews, Kamalini’s role at the top of the order was seen as a long-term investment, with Mumbai backing her ability to grow into the position. Her injury now forces MI into a structural reshuffle midway through the tournament.
With Kamalini unavailable, Rahila Firdous is set to take over the wicketkeeping duties. Firdous, who plays her domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh, is the only other specialist wicketkeeper in the Mumbai Indians squad.
Why Vaishnavi Sharma Went Unsold at the WPL 2026 Auction
Vaishnavi Sharma’s absence from the WPL 2026 auction list was shaped more by timing and auction dynamics than by any shortcoming in her performances.
The left-arm spinner from Gwalior had already built a strong body of work across age-group and domestic cricket. She was a key part of India’s title-winning campaign at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025, finishing among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.
Her standout moment came against Malaysia, where she claimed 5 for 5, including a hat-trick, one of the most dominant spells of the competition. That form carried into senior domestic cricket, where she topped the bowling charts in both the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy and the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal T20 Tournament.
Despite those numbers, Vaishnavi entered the auction cycle at a time when most WPL franchises already had settled spin combinations and very limited Indian slots remaining. Teams were largely focused on filling specific role-based gaps, such as seam-bowling all-rounders, power-hitting batters, or backup wicketkeepers, rather than adding another frontline spinner, even one in strong form.
Another factor was opportunity timing. Several of Vaishnavi’s most impactful performances came either just before or during the auction window, by which point teams had already locked in their shortlists. WPL auctions tend to reward familiarity and continuity, and fast-rising domestic players can sometimes miss out in their first cycle despite strong recent returns.
Her situation was not unique. Other domestic spinners also went unsold, reflecting the depth of India’s spin resources rather than any lack of confidence in Vaishnavi Sharma’s ability. Since then, she has made her senior India debut and featured in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka, taking five wickets in five matches while maintaining one of the better economy rates in the side — reinforcing that her WPL omission was more a delay than a denial.
Who Is Rahila Firdous, Set To Replace G Kamalini in Mumbai Indians Starting XI For Rest Of WPL 2026?
Rahila Firdous is a wicketkeeper-batter from Bhopal who represents Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket and is currently part of the Mumbai Indians squad for WPL 2026. She was picked up by MI at the auction for INR 10 lakh, earning her first opportunity to feature in the Women’s Premier League.
Rahila is known for her sharp wicketkeeping skills and her ability to contribute runs in the lower middle order. She has captained Madhya Pradesh at the domestic level and is regarded as a composed presence behind the stumps, an area where Mumbai Indians will now look for stability following G Kamalini’s injury.
Off the field, Rahila has balanced cricket alongside academics, completing a B.Tech degree while progressing through the domestic circuit. She has often cited MS Dhoni as her influence for wicketkeeping and leadership, while also drawing batting inspiration from Virat Kohli.
With Kamalini ruled out for the remainder of the season, Rahila Firdous is the only specialist wicketkeeper available in the Mumbai Indians squad and is expected to take over the gloves for the rest of WPL 2026.
