Pooja Vastrakar Makes a Comeback with RCB in WPL 2026
Pooja Vastrakar Returns to RCB
Vadodara: Pooja Vastrakar, the talented seam bowling all-rounder from India, has made her return from injury and is now part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for the remainder of the Womenโs Premier League (WPL) 2026 as of Thursday.
Vastrakar had been sidelined from competitive play since late 2024 due to a shoulder injury.
She underwent rehabilitation at the BCCIโs Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and was set to join RCB ahead of the fourth edition of the WPL. However, just two days before her release, she suffered a hamstring injury, which delayed her return.
The 2024 champions welcomed her back on social media, stating, โStarring in Reds ft. Pooja Vastrakar. Experience in her stride, resilience in her run, with pace in hand and power down the order, the job gets done. Back from injury, stronger than ever, proving the naysayers wrong! 12th Man Army, welcome Pooja as she begins her next chapter in red, blue, and gold.โ
๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ ft. Pooja Vastrakar
Experience in her stride, resilience in her run,
With pace in hand and power down the order, the job gets done.Back from injury, stronger than ever, proving the naysayers wrong!
12th Man Army, welcome Pooja as sheโฆ pic.twitter.com/18LK6fFQal
โ Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 22, 2026
Previously, it was reported that Vastrakar arrived in Vadodara on Monday after receiving clearance from CoE and was expected to join RCB following their match against Gujarat Giants.
The franchise acquired Vastrakar for Rs 85 lakh during the mega auction in New Delhi last year after she was released by the Mumbai Indians (MI), the defending champions.
In her career, she has played 72 T20Is for India, taking 58 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 6.39, and her best bowling figures stand at 4-13. Additionally, she has scored 332 runs in T20Is. In the WPL, Pooja has participated in 16 matches for MI, securing seven wickets and accumulating 126 runs.
Her return is expected to bolster RCB's prospects in the ongoing WPL. Under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, RCB remains unbeaten in WPL 2026, having qualified for the playoffs with five consecutive victories. The team is set to face the Delhi Capitals next on Saturday at BCA Stadium.