The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women's team has suffered a significant setback ahead of the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) season. Their key all-rounder, Pooja Vastrakar, will be unavailable for selection for the first two weeks of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.
Training Mishap at BCCI Centre
The injury occurred during a training session at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan provided details, stating that Vastrakar tweaked her hamstring just two days before her scheduled release from the national training facility. "The information we have at the moment is that she will need two weeks more," Rangarajan said. He explained that her recovery is a week-by-week process, noting the unfortunate shift from a prior shoulder issue to this new hamstring problem.
A Prolonged Absence from Cricket
This new injury is a major disappointment for the player, compounding a period of enforced absence. Vastrakar's last competitive match was during the T20 World Cup in October 2024, meaning she has been sidelined for a considerable duration. Her absence creates a void in the RCB lineup, depriving them of a potent pace-bowling and hard-hitting batting option in the crucial early phase of the WPL.
Injury Woes Across the League
Vastrakar is not the only star player managing fitness concerns in this WPL edition. In the tournament opener, the Mumbai Indians were without their West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews, as confirmed by head coach Lisa Keightley. Matthews, recovering from a shoulder injury, also missed the team's second match against the Delhi Capitals, highlighting the physical demands on top international cricketers.
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