WPL 2026: Who is Vaishnavi Sharma? Mumbai Indians’ new Rs 30 lakh spin sensation

Mumbai: Defending champion Mumbai Indians on Tuesday announced the signing of left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma as an injury replacement for wicketkeeper-batter G. Kamalini for the remainder of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season.

Kamalini, 17, was ruled out of the tournament after appearing in all five of Mumbai’s matches this season. While the specific nature of her injury was not disclosed, league officials confirmed she would play no further part in the current campaign. The young wicketkeeper had scored 75 runs prior to her exit, with a top score of 32.

Sharma, a 20-year-old specialist from Madhya Pradesh, joins the two-time champions for a fee of ₹30 lakh. Despite going unsold in the WPL mega auction held in November, Sharma’s recent international and domestic form made her a priority for the franchise as they look to secure a playoff berth.

The left-arm orthodox spinner was a standout performer in India’s victorious 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup squad, where she became the first Indian bowler to record a hat-trick in the tournament’s history. She graduated to the senior national side in late 2025, taking five wickets in a five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Domestically, Sharma has been in prolific form, recently finishing as the leading wicket-taker in India’s senior women's T20 tournament with 21 wickets in 11 matches.

The signing adds significant depth to a Mumbai spin attack that already features Saika Ishaque and New Zealand's Amelia Kerr. However, Kamalini's departure leaves the squad without its primary specialist wicketkeeper, likely forcing a reshuffle behind the stumps ahead of Tuesday's match against the Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

Mumbai currently sits second in the WPL standings with two wins from five matches, holding its position largely due to a superior net run rate of +0.151. The team is looking to rebound after suffering two consecutive defeats to the UP Warriorz.

Both Kamalini and Sharma were recently named in the Indian national squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, scheduled to begin in February.