Pooja Vastrakar Credits RCB for Calibrated Comeback

Overview

• Vastrakar said on June 10, 2026 that Royal Challengers Bengaluru backed her return by emphasising her batting and not forcing a full bowling workload while she recovered from surgery.
• She injured her shoulder at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup and underwent surgery in March 2025, which kept her out of the entire 2025 WPL season and the national side.
• After being released by Mumbai Indians, RCB bought Vastrakar at the mega auction for INR 85 lakh and used experienced staff and teammates to manage her reintegration.
• A hamstring tweak shortly before her release from the BCCI Centre of Excellence caused her to miss the first two weeks of WPL 2026 and she returned to play in matches where she did not bowl or bat.
• Vastrakar is focusing on fitness, workload management and strong domestic and franchise performances to press for a future India recall, and she will be unavailable for the upcoming T20 World Cup.