Vaishnavi Sharma Joins Mumbai Indians for WPL 2026
Mumbai Indians have made an exciting addition to their squad for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 season by signing 20-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma. She steps in as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, who has been ruled out due to injury. Vaishnavi's signing comes as a surprise, especially since she went unsold during the mega auction held in November.
Acquired for Rs 30 lakh, Vaishnavi is not new to the cricketing scene. She made her international debut in December during a five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, where she impressively took five wickets as India clinched a 5-0 victory. This accomplishment has set the stage for her to showcase her skills in the WPL.
The Mumbai Indians officially announced her inclusion, emphasizing the excitement surrounding her arrival. In their statement, they highlighted Vaishnavi's previous achievements, including being part of India's victorious ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup squad in 2025. Her journey reflects the growing opportunities for women cricketers in India, which is increasingly gaining recognition and support.
Before making her mark internationally, Vaishnavi had an impressive domestic season, where she topped the charts as the leading wicket-taker in the senior women’s T20 tournament, claiming 21 wickets from 11 matches with an outstanding average of 6.47. Despite her remarkable performance, she was overlooked during the auction, where she was listed at a base price of Rs 10 lakh.
Vaishnavi's father, Dr. Narendra Sharma, expressed that they were not disheartened by her auction snub. He mentioned that they encouraged her to focus on her performance, reassuring her that if she continued to excel, opportunities would arise. This positive outlook has evidently paid off, as her recent selection for the Mumbai Indians comes shortly after she was named in India’s tour of Australia, where she will participate in both T20I and ODI series.
The Mumbai Indians have welcomed Vaishnavi with open arms, celebrating her as a vital addition to their team. As she steps onto the field, cricket fans across India will be keenly watching her journey, eager to see if she can make a significant impact in the WPL 2026 season.
