Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced a cash reward of Rs 75 lakh for young cricketer G Kamalini after she was part of the Indian women's team that secured 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 successfully defend the Asian Games gold medal. The convincing win also delivered India's first gold of the 2026 Games. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh led the batting effort before India's bowlers completed a dominant victory.
Vijay congratulated the Indian team and singled out Kamalini, who is from Madurai in 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 said.
He added that the Tamil Nadu government would present Kamalini with a cash award of Rs 75 lakh in recognition of her achievement.
“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 arrived at the Asian Games as defending champions after winning gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games. The team once again put together an impressive campaign, opening with an eight-wicket victory over Japan before beating Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-final.
India scored 195 for four against Bangladesh, with Shafali Verma becoming only the third Indian woman to register a T20I century. The Indian bowlers then bundled Bangladesh out for 81, securing their place in the final. Kamalini scored three runs off 10 balls in that match, after making 0 off two deliveries against Japan.
India saved their strongest batting performance of the tournament for the final, scoring 216 for three. Mandhana struck 79 from 45 balls, Shafali contributed 48, and Richa Ghosh remained unbeaten on 49 off only 22 deliveries.
India's bowlers then dismissed Sri Lanka for just 69 runs. Deepti Sharma claimed three wickets, while Shafali, Sree Charani and Shreyanka Patil also played important roles in the bowling effort.
HOW KAMALINI HAS MADE HER MARK
Kamalini, a wicketkeeper-batter from Tamil Nadu, was selected for India's Asian Games squad and had already established herself within the national set-up. Earlier in September, she scored an unbeaten 15 from five balls against Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup.
She first gained widespread attention after helping India win the inaugural Women's U19 Asia Cup in 2024 and then contributing to the country's triumph at the U19 Women's T20 World Cup in 2025.
Kamalini later became the youngest player to debut in the Women's Premier League after being selected by Mumbai Indians. She made her India debut against Sri Lanka in December 2025 and has continued to build her reputation on the international stage.
The Asian Games gold medal marks another major milestone in Kamalini's developing career, while the Rs 75 lakh cash award announced by the Tamil Nadu government recognises her contribution to India's victory.
