NEW DELHI: India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has been sidelined for a minimum of two weeks in the ongoing Women's Premier League after picking up a hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old had been eyeing the tournament as her return to competitive cricket, having last featured in the T20 World Cup in October 2024. RCB had secured her services for Rs 85 lakh at the WPL auction in November, but the setback has delayed what was expected to be her comeback campaign.

"Pooja Vastrakar was not available for selection (against Mumbai Indians)," the franchise's head coach Malolan Rangarajan said after the team's opening match on Friday.

"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 weeks more.

"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."

Powered by a superb all-round performance from South African veteran Nadine de Klerk, RCB edged past defending champions Mumbai Indians by three wickets in a nail-biting, last-ball finish. De Klerk starred with the ball, picking up 4 for 26, before producing a composed 63 off 44 deliveries to steer RCB to a successful chase of 155.

With Pooja Vastrakar unavailable, RCB leaned on their new bowling resources, handing key responsibilities to England left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, Arundhati Reddy and de Klerk. The trio rose to the occasion, combining effectively to restrict Mumbai Indians to 154 for six.

The chase, however, was far from straightforward. RCB found themselves under pressure after slipping to 65 for five, but de Klerk held the innings together with a calm and controlled knock, guiding her side home in a tense finish.

"The value of all-rounders came to the fore. My blood pressure, everything is okay. I've gotten used to this. I've been with RCB for six years. Very good to be on the winning side," Rangarajan said.

Heaping praise on de Klerk, the coach said: "Nadine was very clear with her plan, how she was going to approach the next 11 overs. That's the first time I met her inside [at the strategic time out] was over (number) nine.

"She wanted to chase down upwards of eight (runs per over) in the last four and then there was a plan of how to approach the next two overs in blocks. Aru (Reddy) also did a very, very good job (with the bat, scoring 20 off 25 in a sixth-wicket partnership of 52 off 51)."

For Mumbai Indians, Hayley Matthews missed out as she is recovering from a shoulder injury, head coach Lisa Keightley said.

"Unfortunately, her shoulder isn't great. While training, she got a slight strain and she's really close (to play)," Keightley said.

"It was a bit too close for her to play tonight. We will see how she goes tomorrow, and if she's fit for tomorrow's game. But she is really close."

The defending champions Mumbai Indians will face Delhi Capitals on Saturday at the DY Patil Stadium, while RCB will face UP Warriorz Women on Monday.

(With PTI Inputs)