WPL 2026: Jintimani Kalita Replaces Injured Titas Sadhu at Gujarat Giants; Pooja Vastrakar Returns for RCB

The Women's Premier League 2026 has witnessed its latest squad change as Gujarat Giants have roped in all-rounder Jintimani Kalita to replace the injured Titas Sadhu for the remainder of the tournament.

Titas Sadhu's Injury Woes Continue

Right-arm seamer Titas Sadhu has been ruled out of the ongoing WPL with an unspecified injury, dealing a blow to Gujarat Giants' bowling resources. The injury adds to Sadhu's concerning history of fitness issues that have significantly limited her appearances in recent years.

Sadhu was yet to feature for Gujarat Giants in the 2026 edition and has managed only seven appearances across the last three WPL seasons. Her struggles with injuries have also impacted her international career, with her last appearance for India coming in the three-match ODI series against Rajkot over a year ago.

Jintimani Kalita Brings Championship Experience

Kalita, who joins the Giants for a fee of INR 10 lakh, brings valuable experience and versatility to the squad. The left-handed batter and right-arm medium pace bowler has an impressive WPL pedigree, having featured for Mumbai Indians 13 times across their championship-winning campaigns in 2023 and 2025.

Her all-round capabilities could prove crucial for Gujarat Giants as they look to strengthen their squad for the business end of the tournament. Kalita's experience of performing under pressure in title-winning teams makes her a smart acquisition for the franchise.

Pooja Vastrakar Returns to Bolster Table-Toppers RCB

In positive news for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, star all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has recovered from a hamstring injury and rejoined the squad in Vadodara. The franchise confirmed her return on Thursday, January 22.

RCB have been in scintillating form this season, sitting atop the WPL 2026 points table with five consecutive victories. They have already secured qualification for the next round, and Vastrakar's return further strengthens an already formidable unit.

Impact on the Tournament

The contrasting fortunes of Gujarat Giants and RCB highlight the importance of squad depth and player fitness in franchise cricket. While the Giants scramble to cover for Sadhu's absence, RCB welcome back one of Indian cricket's premier all-rounders at the perfect time.

Looking Ahead

For Gujarat Giants, Kalita's arrival provides a much-needed boost, though replacing a specialist seamer with an all-rounder represents a slight shift in squad balance. The franchise will hope her championship experience translates into immediate impact.

RCB, meanwhile, will look to maintain their perfect record with Vastrakar adding firepower to both their batting and bowling departments as they aim to convert their dominant league phase performance into a title triumph.