Pooja Vastrakar, a key fast-bowling allrounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will miss the start of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. She’s out for around two weeks with a hamstring injury. This fresh setback delays her eagerly awaited comeback from a long-term shoulder layoff. It’s a tough break, for her and for the franchise.
Another Injury Blow for Vastrakar
The 26-year-old India international was at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. She was there primarily for shoulder rehab. This was her path back to competitive cricket. But then, just when she was nearing release to join RCB, a new problem popped up. She suffered a hamstring strain during training. ESPNcricinfo reported this happened “two days prior to her release” from the CoE.
RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed the news after their thrilling season opener. He spoke directly about the timeline. He said, “Pooja Vastrakar was not available for selection (against Mumbai Indians).” And he added, “Two weeks prior to her release from the CoE (Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru), she unfortunately tweaked her hamstring.”
“The information that we have is that she will be there for two weeks more. It’s a hamstring issue. She was there for her shoulder and now it’s a hamstring issue. So it’s a week-by-week process. So let’s see where she’s at.”
— Malolan Rangarajan, RCB Head Coach
This means no firm return date. Just a waiting game for the team and for fans. Vastrakar hasn’t played competitive cricket since the T20 World Cup in October 2024. That’s over a year now. The WPL was supposed to be her big return tournament.
RCB’s Allrounder Strategy Tested
RCB picked Vastrakar for INR 85 lakh at the WPL 2026 auction in November 2025. This was even while she was recovering from her shoulder injury. Her all-round skills were always a core part of their team building. Rangarajan, even at the auction, said she “changes a lot of things for RCB as far as combinations are concerned.” Her ability to bowl brisk seam and contribute lower-order runs is a big asset for any T20 side.
The franchise made a clear choice this season. They invested heavily in allrounders. The goal was deep batting options and multiple bowlers. So her absence for the opening phase is a big test for their squad depth. Ellyse Perry, a lynchpin for RCB in past seasons, is also not with the team this year for personal reasons. That puts even more pressure on the remaining squad to deliver.
But RCB did start their WPL 2026 campaign well. They beat defending champions Mumbai Indians in a thrilling last-over finish. Chasing 152 after being 65 for 5, they found a way. South African allrounder Nadine de Klerk delivered a match-winning performance. She became only the second player in WPL history to hit a fifty and pick up a four-for in the same game. That was a big help without Vastrakar.
The Comeback Trail and Road Ahead
Vastrakar remains under BCCI medical supervision at the CoE. She’s getting treatment and monitoring for her hamstring. The initial estimate is “around two weeks” out of the WPL. But her progress gets assessed week by week. RCB still hopes she can join mid-tournament, subject to fitness clearance. NDTV Sports highlighted the blow for RCB.
Her next few matches are gone. RCB plays their next game against UP Warriorz at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. She’ll miss that one. And subsequent early fixtures too. The team will keep leaning on other allrounders, like Arundhati Reddy and Grace Harris, to cover both pace and batting roles. They got the job done against MI, but consistency is key.
India’s selectors and medical staff will watch her recovery closely. Repeated or overlapping injuries could affect her availability for future international assignments. Her return from a long layoff was eagerly awaited by both her franchise and the national setup. This new hamstring issue just makes things tougher for her. And it’s a test for RCB too, despite their strong start. They need their star allrounder back fit, whenever that might be, as ESPN also previously noted her importance in the squad.
Soureesh Datta 
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Priyanjan Paul