The smiling assassin, the wonderkid, our pride.

At 17, she already boasts of an under-19 World Cup title and a WPL title in her CV. With news coming in late on Monday night (December 9), it’s time to squeeze in another row under the achievements section: Kamalini G, India Player.

Yes, our young gun has been called up to the senior India Women’s side for the five-match T20I series on the back of her solid run in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy where she amassed 297 runs in seven games. She loves the big stage. Her eight-ball 11 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in only her second WPL game, while coming into bat in a tense run-chase, and then hitting the winning boundary off the penultimate ball of the match to win Mumbai Indians the game is testament enough.

To think cricket wasn’t even Kamalini’s first choice sport! Until five years ago, she hadn’t even played the game. This Tamil Nadu state-level skating champion’s life turned upside down when she dropped over to watch her brother bat at the cricket academy. It was enough motivation for her to convince her father to get her enrolled as well. The skates were traded for spikes. From batting right-handed at first to turning leftie, from starting off as a bowler to being asked to keep wickets by her coaches, it’s a lovely script she’s written.

Under a familiar face in Kaptaan Harmanpreet Kaur, she’s all set to soar some more in the national colours now. And she'll do it with a smile. Go well, Kamalini!