Royal Challengers Bengaluru received devastating news just weeks before the Women’s Premier League 2026 kicks off: ace pacer Pooja Vastrakar is out of action for two weeks with a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old all-rounder, a cornerstone of RCB’s plans, sustained the niggle during nets, forcing the team into damage control mode.
Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky in fast bowlers, often leading to longer layoffs if not managed perfectly. Vastrakar’s case is a mild strain, but experts warn that rushing back could exacerbate the issue. RCB’s physios have outlined a rehab plan focusing on strengthening and gradual return to bowling.
Her stats speak volumes – a strike rate of 15.8 in T20Is and consistent performances in domestic circuits make her indispensable. Without her, RCB’s pace battery looks thin, putting extra pressure on spinners like Sophie Molineux and emerging quicks.
The franchise isn’t sitting idle. They’ve reached out to the WPL technical committee for potential replacements and are accelerating trials for uncapped players. This injury also highlights broader concerns in women’s cricket about workload management for pacers playing across formats.
While RCB eyes a strong start to WPL 2026, Vastrakar’s recovery will be pivotal. The team draws parallels to past triumphs over adversity, vowing to turn this setback into a rallying cry. Supporters await updates, hoping their star returns firing on all cylinders.