Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have started their 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign on a high note, but the victory comes with a side of concern. India’s star fast bowler and high-stakes auction buy, Pooja Vastrakar, is set to miss at least the first two weeks of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.
Despite her absence, RCB managed to pull off a thrilling last-over victory against the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), on Friday night. The win validated the team’s aggressive auction strategy of loading the squad with versatile all-rounders, a move that proved vital when the game hung in the balance.
The Injury Update: A Setback for Vastrakar’s Comeback
The timing of the injury is particularly frustrating for both the player and the franchise. Vastrakar was originally at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence recovering from a shoulder issue. According to RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan, she tweaked her hamstring just two days before she was scheduled to be released.
Rangarajan clarified the situation during the post-match press conference, noting that the medical team is taking a “week-by-week” approach. This injury further delays Vastrakar’s return to competitive cricket; she hasn’t played a professional match since the T20 World Cup in October 2024. RCB had invested INR 85 lakh in her during the November auction, viewing her as a “tactical anchor” capable of transforming the team’s bowling combinations.
All-Rounders Step Up in Thrilling Season Opener
While Vastrakar watched from the sidelines, her teammates proved why RCB’s “all-rounder heavy” philosophy might just be the winning formula this year. After a shaky start that saw the team slumped at 65 for 5, RCB successfully chased down a target of 152. The star of the night was Nadine de Klerk, who delivered a historic performance by becoming only the second player in WPL history to score a half-century and take four wickets in a single match.
The chase was bolstered by a gritty 52-run partnership between de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy. Coach Rangarajan praised the composure of his players, specifically highlighting de Klerk’s tactical brilliance during the strategic time-outs. “Nadine was very clear with her plan,” Rangarajan remarked, reflecting on the composed way the team handled the required run rate in the final overs.
With a victory under their belt, RCB will stay at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai to face the UP Warriorz this Monday. While the team remains hopeful for Vastrakar’s recovery, the depth shown in their opening game suggests they have the personnel to remain competitive in her absence.
