Pooja Vastrakar sidelined for two weeks with hamstring injury

Pooja Vastrakar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru pace bowling all-rounder, is ruled out of action for two weeks due to a hamstring injury, RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed on Friday (January 9) following the opening game of the tournament against Mumbai Indians.

"Pooja Vastrakar was not available for selection [against Mumbai Indians]," Malolan said following RCB's opening game of WPL 2026. "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. 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."

RCB kickstarted their WPL 2026 campaign with a thrilling last-ball win against Mumbai Indians, courtesy Nadine de Klerk's 44-ball 63* which helped them over the line with three wickets in hand.

Earlier in the day, all-rounder Hayley Matthews also couldn't take the field for Mumbai Indians as she is recovering from a shoulder injury, as confirmed by head coach Lisa Keightley.

"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."

Following their close loss in the tournament opener, the defending champions will take on Delhi Capitals on Saturday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.