G. Kamalini - The accidental cricketer on the fast lane to stardomPremium

Mumbai Indians’ G. Kamalini shares the secret behind batting left-handed, taking up wicket-keeping, life as a World Cup winner and the upcoming Women’s Premier League.

At the Chennai International Airport a few days ago, a gaggle of television cameras set up shop and began the usual drill — checking all equipment, dragging the worn-down podium into position and strategically arranging microphones to best display their organisations’ logos.

An inevitable guessing game followed. Whose arrival was the preparation for? Was it a politician? One could hear someone whispering that it was an actress flying back after a vacation.

When G. Kamalini walked out, barely visible behind the mountain of bags she was pushing, the cameras began rolling while passers-by looked on wondering why there was so much fuss about the diminutive kid who looked like she would rather be away from all the flashlights.

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The women’s game in India has increasingly commanded the attention of the nation with achievements like a second-consecutive U19 World Cup title being celebrated with much fanfare. Arriving in Chennai a little over 48 hours after the final, Kamalini stood by her family and patiently indulged the press.

Nearly three hours passed before Kamalini could begin her journey home where her favourite chicken biryani lay waiting. Celebrations aside, the family wanted to feed their famished daughter who didn’t have the best culinary experience in Malaysia.

“I didn’t like the food. I used to eat pancakes and fruit in the morning. In the afternoon, I used to eat a rice dish I don’t even know the name of,” she revealed, in a chat with The Hindu.