Mumbai Indians released the 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the WPL 2027 auction, but her skill set could still draw strong franchise interest.
The Women's Premier League 2027 auction is expected to generate strong interest in several young Indian players, and Gunalan Kamalini is among those who could attract significant franchise attention. Mumbai Indians released the wicketkeeper-batter ahead of the auction, with the reported reason being a calendar overlap between the WPL season and the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup, which runs from January 21 to February 6, 2027.
Despite the availability concern that franchises will need to factor in, Kamalini's dual-role ability, her presence in India's senior international setup at a young age, and her long-term development potential could still make her a compelling name in the auction room. Having already been part of the Mumbai Indians setup, she is not unfamiliar with the demands of franchise cricket.
Here are three reasons why Kamalini could draw big bids at the WPL 2027 auction:
3. Long-term potential could make her an attractive investment
At 18, Kamalini has considerable time to develop her game and establish herself as a regular contributor in the WPL. Franchises looking beyond a single season could view her as a player who can grow into a more prominent role over the coming years. Young Indian players who offer multiple skills are considered valuable to teams planning for the future. If Kamalini continues to improve her batting and wicketkeeping, she could become an important part of a franchise's domestic core.
Her experience across domestic T20 cricket, the India A setup, and senior international appearances provides a foundation for further development. Regular exposure to senior players, specialist coaching, and high-pressure matches can help a young cricketer refine her skills and sharpen her decision-making. However, her expected involvement in the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup could affect her availability during the WPL season. Franchises will need to weigh her long-term potential against the possibility of missing matches in the upcoming campaign.