New Delhi, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : For many cricketers, participating in T20 leagues worldwide is a chance to showcase their talent and learn from others. However, Indian all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar, currently playing for the Barbados Tridents in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), has a unique perspective shaped by her recent challenges. After being sidelined due to a shoulder injury, she is now focused on applying the new mindset she developed during her recovery.
Pooja is no stranger to serious injuries. Before representing India, she underwent ACL reconstruction on her right knee in 2017, followed by surgery on her left knee the following year. However, her shoulder surgery after the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup significantly altered her outlook on the game.
The surgery addressed a torn supraspinatus tendon in her shoulder. Following an extensive nine-month rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (COE), a hamstring injury delayed her return to competitive cricket. Once cleared, she played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the final stages of the Women’s Premier League, contributing to their title win. Since then, she has participated in every available tournament.
Despite being surrounded by fellow players and experts, Pooja found the experience of loneliness during her rehabilitation challenging. In a virtual discussion organized by FanCode, the official broadcaster of the WCPL in India, she stated, “During my time at COE in Bengaluru, I spent a lot of time alone, which taught me a lot. You don’t want to go back to your old life, as cricket is a team sport, but rehab can be isolating. It teaches you a great deal about your body, training, physiotherapy, and load management.”
Pooja has become a go-to person for many players undergoing rehabilitation. She shared, “Many players reach out to me instead of their physiotherapists, asking, ‘I’ve got injured. What should I do?’ Sometimes they joke with me about it. The physiotherapists at COE told me I have a good understanding of treating minor injuries myself.”
Support from family, close friends, trainers, physiotherapists, and RCB management, including coach Smriti Mandhana, has been crucial for her. She explained, “Injuries lead to biomechanical changes that aren’t well understood in India. People often compare the old Pooja to the new one. Even after receiving a fitness certificate, players may still show signs of past injuries.”
Pooja emphasized that no player is ever 100% fit, especially during tournaments like the WCPL and international matches. “I felt very supported by RCB. There was a time when my bowling speed fluctuated, but they assured me they would take care of me. Just knowing that my batting was enough for them was incredibly reassuring.”
The shoulder surgery has brought significant changes to Pooja’s life and outlook, yet her bowling action remains intact. She noted that many bowlers struggle with injuries long after recovery, but she has not faced such challenges. “I feel fortunate,” she remarked, adding that her warm-up routines now take longer as her body needs more time to prepare for the load.
Ultimately, Pooja remains focused on the present rather than the future. She acknowledges that after a few months post-injury, bowling brings a different level of load, but she is determined to adapt and manage the pain as it comes. “In the beginning, you might feel discomfort for a few days, but eventually, it becomes normal,” she concluded.
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