In a setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), pace bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has been ruled out of action for at least the first two weeks of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 after suffering a hamstring injury just as she was nearing a return to competitive cricket. The injury was confirmed by RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan after the team’s opening match of the tournament on January 9.
The 26-year-old was expected to be a major part of RCB’s plans this season after being acquired for INR 85 lakh at the WPL auction in November 2025, but her hopes of making a big impact were dashed when she picked up a hamstring tweak shortly before being released from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where she had been undergoing rehabilitation from a shoulder injury.
“I think two days prior to her release from the CoE, she unfortunately tweaked her hamstring,” Rangarajan said in the post-match press conference following RCB’s opening fixture victory. “At the moment, the information we have is that she’ll need two more weeks of recovery. It’s a week-by-week process, so we’ll see where she’s at.”
Vastrakar’s journey over the past year has been affected severely by injuries. She last played a competitive match during the T20 World Cup in October 2024, after which she struggled to stay fully fit. The 2026 WPL was meant to mark her long-awaited comeback, offering her a platform to regain form and confidence ahead of other international assignments.
Instead, she now faces another frustrating delay. A hamstring injury, particularly for fast bowlers can be tricky, requiring careful management to avoid long-term problems. While the initial prognosis is that Vastrakar will be back after roughly two weeks, RCB’s medical team will be closely monitoring her progress week by week before clearing her for match action.
RCB’s season got off to an electric start despite Vastrakar’s absence. They defeated the defending champions, Mumbai Indians Women, in a thrilling last-ball finish on opening night at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The star of that game was Nadine de Klerk, who delivered a rare all-round performance, taking four wickets with the ball and then smashing an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls to anchor the chase successfully.
With Vastrakar unavailable, the bowling responsibilities fell to new recruits such as England’s Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith and Indian seamer Arundhati Reddy, who both made useful contributions. Still, Vastrakar’s absence leaves a noticeable gap, particularly in the pace department, an area where RCB had been counting on her ability to deliver early breakthroughs and contribute valuable lower order runs. Her experience and skill set are especially valuable in the death, where controlling the game with tight bowling and pressure can swing matches.
RCB will be hoping Vastrakar can meet her recovery targets and return to action as soon as possible, as her presence would provide balance to the squad and additional firepower through the middle overs. Their next match is scheduled against UP Warriorz on January 12 at the same venue, and while the team has shown resilience without her so far, her return would certainly be a boost for the campaign.
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