WPL 2024: RCB lose key Indian player due to injury, Replacement Named

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Royal Challengers Bangalore has been dealt with a big blow as Indian all-rounder Kanika Ahuja is ruled out for the WPL Season 2 with an injury.

The 2nd edition of the WPL starts from February 23 but RCB Women's team will be devoid of Kanika Ahuja, who played a key part in their underwhelming inaugural season last year.

Kanika played seven of eight RCB matches last season. She scored 98 runs with the bat and also picked up two wickets with the ball. The 21-year-old Punjab-born player also broke into the Indian team and has been one of the emerging players in the country.

Her absence will be a blow to RCB, who have already named a replacement for the player. Shraddha Pokharkar, a left-arm seamer from Maharashtra has been roped in as the replacement for Ahuja. Pokharkar, 27, has played for Trailblazers in the past and has represented India D. She was also a net bowler during the T20I series against Australia in December last year. She will join the team at her base price of Rs 10 lakh.

RCB finished fourth out of the five teams last year and would be keen to better their performance this year. The Smriti Mandhana-led franchise need a radical change in performance this term to bring some smiles to their supporters' faces.