RCB in panic mode as star all-rounder ruled out of cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) began their Women’s Premier League 2026 (WPL 2026) campaign with a dramatic win over Mumbai Indians (MI) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, but the celebrations were hit with a major injury setback on Friday, January 9.

RCB’s plans suffered a massive setback following their thrilling three-wicket win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Women’s Premier League 2026 opener on Friday, January 9, as their star all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, has been ruled out for the next two weeks after suffering a hamstring injury.

Pooja Vastrakar ruled out after RCB’s dream start in Women’s Premier League 2026

Pooja was not part of the playing XI in RCB’s last-over thriller against the MI. Just two weeks before her clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, the Indian all-rounder suffered a fresh setback. She was already undergoing rehab for a shoulder issue when the fresh hamstring problem surfaced, forcing her to miss a few WPL 2026 matches.

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The Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Malolan Rangarajan shared this update on Pooja on Friday, and he stressed that the team management is closely tracking her recovery on a week-by-week basis, and she will not be rushed to the tournament.

RCB coach shares concerned update on Pooja Vastrakar’s fitness

Malolan Rangarajan said after the WPL 2026 clash, “Pooja Vastrakar was not available for selection [against Mumbai Indians]. 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 more weeks. 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.”

Meanwhile, the Smriti Mandhana-led RCB showed strong character in the tournament opener against Harmanpreet Singh’s Mumbai Indians in the season opener.

Nadine de Klerk was the hero of the night, as she played a stunning unbeaten knock of 63 runs off 44 balls to help RCB chase down 155 runs in the final over to pull off a thrilling last-ball victory over MI in Navi Mumbai. With this win, RCB earned two crucial points and a major boost in the tournament.

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Mumbai Indians stumble without Hayley Matthews in WPL 2026 opener

On the other hand, the defending champions, MI, had a forgettable night. They were without their big match-winner, Hayley Matthews, and the team missed her against the RCB. The West Indies all-rounder was unavailable for the WPL 2026 opener as she continues to recover from a shoulder injury.

Hayley suffered the injury during training when she picked up a slight strain. Although she is very close to full fitness, the team decided not to risk her in the opening clash.

With the medical team monitoring her condition carefully, the Mumbai Indians hope Hayley will be available for their second match against last season’s runner-up Delhi Capitals on January 10 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, as the defending champions must be eager to bounce back in the tournament after a crushing defeat against RCB.