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Pooja Vastrakar Ruled Out of WPL 2026 Start with Hamstring Injury

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women will be without all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar for the start of the WPL 2026 season due to a hamstring injury. Coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed the two-week absence, noting the injury occurred during her rehabilitation for a shoulder issue. In their opening match, RCB secured a thrilling victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians. The win was powered by a phenomenal all-round performance from Nadine de Klerk, who took four wickets and then hit a match-winning half-century.

Key Points: Pooja Vastrakar to Miss WPL Start Due to Injury

  • Vastrakar out for two weeks
  • Injury occurred at CoE in Bengaluru
  • RCB wins WPL 2026 opener
  • Nadine de Klerk's all-round heroics
  • Come-from-behind victory over MI
2 min read

RCB's Pooja Vastrakar to miss WPL 2026 for 2 weeks due to hamstring injury

RCB's Pooja Vastrakar will miss the first two weeks of WPL 2026 with a hamstring injury, as confirmed by coach Malolan Rangarajan.

"Pooja Vastrakar is not available for selection... It's a week-by-week process. - Malolan Rangarajan"

Mumbai, January 10

India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar will miss the Women's Premier League 2026 season for the first two weeks due to a hamstring injury, confirmed RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after RCB's win over Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2026 opener, Malolan stated that Pooja Vastrakar is unavailable for selection due to a hamstring injury she sustained at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. He said Pooja was initially there for shoulder treatment but tweaked her hamstring, and her recovery will be monitored week by week, with an expected two-week absence.

"Pooja Vastrakar is not available for selection. Two weeks prior to her release from the CoE, she unfortunately tweaked her hamstring. The information we have at the moment is that she will be there for two weeks more. She was there for her shoulder; now she has a hamstring issue. It's a week-by-week process. So let's see where she is at," RCB coach Malolan Rangarajan said after the team's opening game of WPL 2026.

Coming to the MI vs RCB match, the Bengaluru-based franchise registered a come-from-behind win over the defending champions, owing to the heroics from Nadine de Klerk as she grabbed a four-fer followed by a match-winning half-century. Chasing 155, de Klerk slammed 20 runs off the last over to get her side over the line and secure a win by three wickets over the defending champions.

RCB had won the toss and had opted to field first. After MI was reduced to 67/4, an 82-run stand between S Sajana (45 in 25 balls, with seven fours and two sixes) and Nicola Carey (40 in 29 balls, with four boundaries) took MI to 154/6, with Nadine (4/26) and Lauren Bell (1/14) bowling incredible four-over spells.

Chasing the total, RCB was off to a fine start and put a 40-run opening stand with Grace Harris (25 in 12 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and skipper Smriti Mandhana (18 in 13 balls, with four boundaries) firing all cylinders. Spell from Amelia Kerr (2/13) played a crucial role in swinging the tide towards MI's favour, reducing RCB to 65/5. But a 52-run stand between Nadine and Arundhati Reddy (20 in 25 balls, with two fours) kept RCB alive in the hunt. With 18 runs left in the final over, after two dot balls against Sciver-Brunt, Nadine nailed her for 6,4,6 and 4 to seal a memorable win, with Prema Rawat (8* in four balls with two fours) playing a little cameo.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Injuries are so unfortunate, especially right at the start of a big tournament. It's good they are taking a cautious, week-by-week approach. Player health should always come first, even if it means missing a few games.
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Ananya R
What a win without her though! Nadine de Klerk was absolutely sensational. Shows the depth RCB has built this season. But yes, we need Pooja back for the playoffs push. #PlayBold
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Rohit P
Hamstring injuries can be tricky. Two weeks is the estimate, but they need to be very careful with her rehab. We don't want a repeat where she comes back too soon and gets injured again. BCCI's NCA needs to manage this properly.
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Priya S
This is a real test for the team management. Who will they play in her place? Maybe Shreyanka Patil gets a longer run now. Exciting to see how the young Indian players step up in the absence of a senior pro.
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Michael C
From a neutral fan's perspective, it's a shame. Vastrakar is one of the most exciting all-rounders in the world. WPL is better when all the top stars are fit and playing. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

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