Pooja Vastrakar, the bowling all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will miss the opening two weeks of the Women’s Premier League 2026 due to another injury. The Bengaluru-based team has not yet announced a successor for the cricket player.
After the team’s tournament debut against the Mumbai Indians, head coach Malolan Rangarajan verified the news on Friday. Pooja Vastrakar was rehabbing from a prior shoulder injury at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru when she was injured, he said, and her accident happened just before her scheduled release. However, the side is still hopeful that she would return.
“Unfortunately, Pooja Vastrakar strained her hamstring two days before she was released from the [BCCI’s Centre of Excellence].”
According to what we now know, she will require a further two weeks. This is a hamstring problem. She had a shoulder ailment there, but now she has a hamstring problem. Thus, the process is done week after week. Rangarajan stated, “Let’s see where Pooja Vastrakar at,” during the news conference following the game, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
The 26-year-old speedster, who was once touted as a possible Jhulan Goswami successor, has spent the last two years dealing with a series of injuries. She hasn’t participated in a competitive match since the 2024 T20 World Cup, missing important occasions like the 2025 ODI World Cup and the WPL. The Madhya Pradesh player provides a strong pace option and vital runs down the order, so her unexpected injury is a major blow to the RCB’s plans.
RCB begins their campaign with an exciting victory.
In a thrilling final-ball match, the 2024 champions defeated the reigning champions, the Mumbai Indians Women, to begin their campaign. Nadine de Klerk gave a masterclass, helping her team win the match despite needing 18 runs off the last over. Because of her exceptional all-around effort, she was rightfully chosen Player of the Match. She picked up four wickets and scored 63* from 44 balls. On Monday, January 12, the team will now play UP Warriorz.
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