New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed that Pooja Vastrakar joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is a remarkable boost for the team as they prepare for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL). He highlighted that she introduces a level of batting prowess that is rare among seam bowling all-rounders in the nation.

Despite a lengthy absence from the game due to shoulder surgery, which caused her to miss the 2025 WPL season with the eventual champions Mumbai Indians, Pooja attracted considerable interest during last month’s mega auction, leading to RCB acquiring her for a sum of Rs 85 lakh.

Currently, Pooja is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and is anticipated to be ready for WPL 2026, scheduled from January 9 to February 5 in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.

“The strategy that RCB has adopted in assembling their squad offers them exceptional flexibility. They can adapt based on pitch conditions, player form, or injuries, enabling tactical shifts, such as choosing between Grace Harris or Lauren Bell based on the rival team,” Chopra noted.

“When reviewing Indian fast-bowling all-rounders, Pooja Vastrakar distinctly stands out due to her batting capabilities, which are unmatched by others like Renuka Singh Thakur, Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, or Kranti Gaud. She is a unique asset,” he added.

“While injury issues have been a concern, there is only one Pooja Vastrakar in the country. This is precisely why there was intense bidding for her. The UP Warriorz were very keen, but RCB recognized her value and secured her services. In my opinion, it’s a significant addition,” Chopra stated during his commentary on JioHotstar.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter and national selector Saba Karim believes that the Smriti Mandhana-led RCB squad appears well-rounded, thanks to a multitude of all-rounders in their roster. “I noticed that RCB clearly focused on acquiring all-rounders this time, which is why there are so many in their lineup, including Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Grace Harris, and Pooja Vastrakar.

“Smriti Mandhana now has various options to determine the optimal combination. This is a formidable team, and the presence of numerous all-rounders indicates that they have built their squad with venue conditions in mind,” he concluded.

“They will be playing in Navi Mumbai before moving to Vadodara, and I believe the nature of the wickets in those locations will enhance this combination. Overall, RCB’s squad appears to be exceptionally well-balanced,” Karim added.