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 this following the team's opening game of WPL 2026 against Mumbai Indians.

"Pooja Vastrakar was not available for selection," Malolan said. "Two weeks prior to her release from the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, she unfortunately tweaked her hamstring. The information we have is that she will be out for two more weeks. Earlier, she was there for her shoulder, now she has a hamstring issue. It's a week-by-week process."

RCB began their WPL 2026 campaign with a last-ball win against Mumbai Indians, aided by Nadine de Klerk's 44-ball 63*.

Separately, Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hayley Matthews also missed the match due to 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 playing. It was a bit too close for her to play tonight. We will see how she goes tomorrow."

Following their loss, the defending champions Mumbai Indians will face Delhi Capitals on Saturday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.