Tamil Nadu CM Vijay felicitates G Kamalini after cricket gold at Asian Women’s Games in India
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced a cash reward of Rs 75 crore 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 beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women’s T20 cricket final to retain the Asian Games gold medal. The emphatic win also gave India its first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh playing with the bat before the bowlers completed a dominant performance.
Vijay congratulated the Indian team and specifically acknowledged Kamalini, who hails from Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
“My heartiest congratulations and thanks to the Indian women’s team for achieving a historic achievement by winning the gold medal in the women’s cricket category at the 20th Asian Games currently being held in Japan and the sportsperson Kamalini from Madurai, Tamil Nadu who is a member of the team,” the Chief Minister wrote.
“In recognition of cricketer Kamalini’s great achievement, a prestigious cash prize of Rs 75 crore will be awarded on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government,” added Vijay.
“The Government of Tamil Nadu will always stand firm for all talented sportspersons like her. This victory for Kamalini will give new inspiration and confidence to the youth and women of Tamil Nadu. I wish her many more successes!” Vijay wrote.
HOW INDIA MASTERED THE ASIAN GAMES CAMPAIGN
India entered the Asian Games as the defending champions after winning the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games. They again produced a commanding campaign, starting with an eight-wicket victory over Japan before beating Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-finals.
Against Bangladesh, India posted 195 for four, with Shafali Verma became the third Indian woman to score a T20I century. The bowlers then bowled out Bangladesh for 81 to seal their place in the final. Kamalini contributed three runs from 10 balls in this match, having previously scored 0 from two balls against Japan.
In the final, India produced their biggest batting display of the tournament, amassing 216 for three. Mandhana smashed 79 off 45 balls while Shafali made 48 and Richa Ghosh finished unbeaten on 49 off just 22 deliveries.
India then bowled out Sri Lanka for 69 with Deepti Sharma taking three wickets while Shafali, Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil also made key contributions.
HOW KAMALINI DID
Kamalini, a wicket-keeper batsman from Tamil Nadu, was included in India’s Asian Games squad and was already 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 Under-19 Asia Cup in 2024, followed by the Women’s Under-19 World Cup in 2025.
She subsequently became the youngest player to make her debut in the Women’s Premier League after being selected by Mumbai Indians. In December 2025, Kamalini made her debut for India against Sri Lanka and continued to establish herself at international level.
The Asian Games gold added another major achievement to her fast-growing career, with the Rs 75 lakh award from the Tamil Nadu government recognizing her contribution to India’s success.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
22 Sep 2026 19:26 IST