MI Release Asian Games Gold Medallist Kamalini: Khelosuper

Mumbai Indians have handed out one of the more surprising decisions of the WPL 2027 retention window, releasing teenage wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini just days after she returned home as part of India's Asian Games gold-winning squad. The move stood out as the headline release from a franchise that otherwise chose continuity, keeping its core group largely intact.

Mumbai Indians Part Ways With Kamalini

Kamalini was among six players released by Mumbai Indians ahead of the WPL 2027 auction, along with Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth, Triveni Vasistha, Poonam Khemnar and Nalla Reddy. Of that group, Kamalini's exit drew the most attention given the timing, coming barely a week after she was part of the squad that beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the Asian Games final.

A Rising Career Cut Short at MI

The Tamil Nadu gloveswoman had been signed by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1.6 crore at a previous auction and was retained again ahead of the 2026 mega auction, making her release now a clear step back for a player the franchise had backed financially not long ago. Fans discussing the move on Khelosuper threads called it one of the more puzzling calls of the retention window given her recent form for India.

From India A to the Senior Squad

Kamalini's rise had been rapid by any standard. She was part of the India A side that toured England, made her senior T20I debut in December 2025, and was picked ahead of Yastika Bhatia for the Asian Games squad after Bhatia's disappointing World Cup campaign earlier in the year.

Kamalini's Role in India's Asian Games Triumph

Though she did not get a chance to bat in the final itself, Kamalini featured in India's wins over Japan and Bangladesh during the campaign, scoring three off 10 balls in the semi-final against Bangladesh after a two-ball duck in the win over Japan. India completed the campaign by bowling Sri Lanka out for 69 after posting 216 for 3 in the final at Korogi Sports Park.

Recognition Beyond the Field

Her contribution to the title has already been recognised at home, with the Tamil Nadu government announcing a Rs 75 lakh cash award for the Madurai-born cricketer, adding to a résumé that already includes titles at the 2024 Women's U19 Asia Cup and the 2025 U19 Women's World Cup.

Mumbai Indians' Wider Retention Strategy

Kamalini's release came even as MI chose stability elsewhere, retaining 11 players including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr and Natalie Sciver-Brunt. The full list of releases shows a squad being trimmed rather than rebuilt:

• G Kamalini

• Saika Ishaque

• Milly Illingworth

• Triveni Vasistha

• Poonam Khemnar

• Nalla Reddy

With around Rs 1 crore left in the purse, Mumbai Indians head into the October 28 auction in Kochi with a settled top order and just a handful of gaps to fill, one of which is now the wicketkeeping back-up spot Kamalini had been occupying.

What This Means Heading Into the WPL 2027 Auction

For a player fresh off a gold medal and a rapid rise through India's age-group and senior setups, entering the auction pool rather than staying with her existing franchise adds a genuine subplot to the build-up. Other teams will now get a chance to bid for a keeper-batter with an Asian Games gold, an Asia Cup title and a U19 World Cup win already on her résumé at just 18. Fans of competitive platforms like Khelosuper who track auction pools and franchise strategy as closely as the matches themselves will be watching to see which team moves for her when bidding opens in Kochi.

For a story that keeps evolving right up to auction day, keeping an eye on updates through the WPL 2027 build-up is only going to get more interesting. Platforms like Khelosuper are built for exactly this kind of following, tracking every twist in a franchise's roster from retention day through to the final bid.