Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been dealt an early setback in the WPL 2026 season, with pace-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar sidelined for at least two weeks due to a hamstring injury. Head coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed the update after RCB’s thrilling final-ball win against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday.
“Pooja Vastrakar was not available for selection (against Mumbai Indians),” Malolan said. “Two weeks before her release from the CoE (Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru), she unfortunately tweaked her hamstring. The information we have is that she will be there for two more weeks.
Advertisement
“Earlier, she was there (at the CoE) for her shoulder; now she has a hamstring issue. It’s a week-by-week process. So let’s see where she is at,” Malolan added.
Advertisement
In the season opener, RCB chased down MI’s 154/6 with three wickets in hand. Nadine de Klerk starred with an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls to seal the win.
Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, were also without a key all-rounder in the opener, as Hayley Matthews missed the match while recovering from a shoulder injury.
Head coach Lisa Keightley said the West Indies star was close to returning but was not quite ready to take the field.
“Unfortunately, her shoulder isn’t great. While training, she got a slight strain, and she’s really close (to play). It was a bit too close for her to play tonight. We will see how she goes tomorrow and if she’s fit for tomorrow’s game. But she is really close,” she said.
Following their narrow defeat in the opener, the defending champions are scheduled to face Delhi Capitals on Saturday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Advertisement
