‘You’re Batting All-Rounder, We Need Your Batting’: How RCB Rebuilt Pooja Vastrakar’s Confidence

India all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has credited Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for backing her through a challenging injury phase, saying the franchise’s faith played a key role in her comeback.

RCB picked Vastrakar in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) mega auction last year while she was still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. She underwent surgery in March 2025, which ruled her out of the entire WPL season. Despite being one of India’s leading pace-bowling all-rounders, she was subsequently released by the Mumbai Indians.

RCB, however, showed faith in her potential, signing her for Rs 85 lakh. Vastrakar revealed that the franchise allowed her the time and space to recover fully, without putting

pressure on her to resume bowling immediately. Instead, the team encouraged her to focus on her batting during the initial phase of her return.

“They kept it very simple. They told me that even if my bowling wasn’t progressing as expected, it was okay. They said, ‘You are a batting all-rounder; we need your batting.’ That reassurance gave me a lot of confidence, and they continued to support me throughout,” Vastrakar told India Today.

She also highlighted the role of experienced figures within the setup, including Anya Shrubsole, head coach Malolan Rangarajan, and captain Smriti Mandhana, all of whom have dealt with injuries in their careers.

“They understand what it takes to make a comeback. Their experience really helped me,” she added.

Currently representing Chambal Ghariyals, Vastrakar said her focus remains on improving fitness, managing workload, and maintaining discipline.

“There are always challenges and some frustration, but you learn a lot from them. Cricket comes with ups and downs, and it teaches you how to handle different situations,” she said.

It has been eight years since Vastrakar made her India debut, and with over 100 international appearances, she continues to prove her value as a dependable all-rounder.