Tamil Nadu CM Vijay rewards G Kamalini after India women’s Asian Games cricket gold
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced a cash award of Rs 75 lakh for young cricketer G Kamalini after she was part of the Indian women’s team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s T20 cricket final to retain the Asian Games gold medal. The emphatic victory also gave India its first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh starring with the bat before the bowlers completed a dominant performance.
Vijay congratulated the Indian team and specifically recognised Kamalini, who hails from Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the Indian women’s team, who have achieved a historic feat by winning the gold medal in the women’s cricket category at the 20th Asian Games currently taking place in Japan, and to the sportswoman Kamalini from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, who is a member of that team,” the Chief Minister wrote.
“Appreciating the great achievement of cricketer Kamalini, on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, a prestigious cash award of Rs 75 lakhs will be given,” Vijay added.
“The Government of Tamil Nadu will always stand as firm support for all talented sportspersons like her. This victory of Kamalini will provide new inspiration and confidence to the youth and women of Tamil Nadu. I wish her many more achievements!” Vijay wrote.
HOW INDIA DOMINATED THE ASIAN GAMES CAMPAIGN
India entered the Asian Games as defending champions after winning the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games. They once again produced a commanding campaign, beginning with an eight-wicket win over Japan before defeating Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-final.
Against Bangladesh, India posted 195 for four, with Shafali Verma becoming the third Indian woman to score a T20I century. The bowlers then dismissed Bangladesh for 81 to seal their place in the final. Kamalini contributed three runs from 10 balls in that match, having earlier scored 0 from two balls against Japan.
In the final, India produced their biggest batting display of the tournament, piling up 216 for three. Mandhana smashed 79 from 45 balls, while Shafali made 48 and Richa Ghosh finished unbeaten on 49 from just 22 deliveries.
India then bowled Sri Lanka out for 69, with Deepti Sharma taking three wickets, while Shafali, Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil also made key contributions.
HOW KAMALINI HAS MADE HER MARK
Kamalini, a wicketkeeper-batter from Tamil Nadu, was included in India’s Asian Games squad and had already been part of the country’s international set-up. She also scored an unbeaten 15 off five balls against Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup earlier in September.
Kamalini came into the limelight after helping India win the inaugural Women’s U19 Asia Cup in 2024, followed by the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2025.
She subsequently became the youngest player to make her debut in the Women’s Premier League after being picked by Mumbai Indians. In December 2025, Kamalini made her India debut against Sri Lanka and has continued to make her mark at the international level.
The Asian Games gold adds another significant achievement to her rapidly developing career, with the Rs 75 lakh award from the Tamil Nadu government recognising her contribution to India’s success.
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