Pooja Vastrakar set to miss first two weeks of WPL:RCB all-rounder suffers thigh muscle strain; Bengaluru bought Pooja for ₹8 lakh in mega-auction

Indian women’s team fast bowler and all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has been ruled out of the first two weeks of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 due to a thigh muscle strain. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder picked up the injury shortly before the tournament, delaying her much-awaited return to competitive cricket. Pooja was signed by RCB for ₹85 lakh at the WPL 2026 auction held in November 2025. The league was expected to mark her comeback after a long injury layoff, but fresh fitness concerns have once again kept her on the sidelines. Despite her absence, RCB began their WPL 2026 campaign on a positive note, registering a thrilling win against defending champions Mumbai Indians in the season opener at Navi Mumbai. Pooja Vastrakar set to miss the first two weeks of WPL due to thigh muscle strain RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed the development during the post-match press conference. He revealed that Pooja suffered a thigh strain just two days before being released from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, where she had been undergoing rehabilitation. Also read: Virat Kohli needs 42 runs to become 2nd highest run-scorer: Rohit Sharma nears 16,000 ODI runs; records galore in sight for ‘RoKo’ Before this setback, Pooja was already recovering from a shoulder injury. The medical team has advised her to take at least two more weeks of rest, ruling her out of RCB’s initial matches. Extended wait for comeback in Season 4 Pooja last played competitive cricket during the T20 World Cup in October 2024. Since then, injuries have kept her away from the game. WPL 2026 was supposed to be her return to action, but the latest injury has extended her time on the sidelines. The RCB coach highlighted Pooja’s importance, stating that she adds balance to the team as a genuine all-rounder. In her absence, RCB will depend on other multi-skilled players to fill the gap. RCB Start with a thrilling victory against MI in WPL opener On Friday night (January 9, 2026), RCB defeated Mumbai Indians by three wickets in a tense last-over finish. Mumbai posted 154/6 while batting first, but RCB chased down the target, scoring 157/7. With Pooja unavailable, RCB opened the bowling with England spinner Linsey Smith, who conceded 23 runs in two overs. Fast bowler Arundhati Reddy, playing her debut WPL match, gave away 37 runs in four overs. Nadine de Klerk steals the show for Bengaluru All-rounder Nadine de Klerk delivered a match-winning performance, taking four wickets and scoring an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls. She became only the second player in WPL history to score a fifty and take four wickets in the same match. Also read: ‘We are acting,’ Bangladesh captain’s distress call amid World-Cup controversy: Najmul Hossain shames BCB director over ‘Indian agent’ remark RCB were struggling at 65/5, but a crucial 52-run partnership between de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy steadied the innings and powered the comeback. The coach later said the match clearly showed the value of strong all-rounders. RCB will next face UP Warriors on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, as they look to continue their winning momentum despite Pooja Vastrakar’s absence.