Sat Feb 15 15:10:00 UTC 2025: ## RCB Dealt Blow as Star Spinner Ruled Out of WPL 2025

**Vadodara, India –** Reigning Women’s Premier League (WPL) champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have suffered a major setback ahead of their title defense, with ace leg-spinner Asha Sobhana ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. Sobhana, who sustained the injury during the T20 World Cup in the UAE, has failed to recover in time. She will be replaced by wicketkeeper-batter Nuzhat Parween at a base price of INR 30 lakh.

RCB are already facing a depleted squad. Sophie Molineux (knee injury), Kate Cross (rehab), and star opener Sophie Devine (break from domestic cricket) are all unavailable for the season. Emerging Player of the Year and Purple Cap winner Shreyanka Patil is also a significant doubt due to a shin injury. Both Patil and Sobhana missed the subsequent home season and India’s recent tour of Australia.

The team’s injury woes have been compounded by Mumbai Indians (MI), who have also announced a key player absence. All-rounder Pooja Vastrakar will miss the entire season due to injury, with Parunika Sisodia replacing her. Sisodia, recently named Player of the Match in the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final, previously played for Gujarat Giants.

RCB’s campaign begins against Gujarat Giants in Vadodara on February 14th. The team faces a challenging start to their title defense, hampered by a significant number of key player absences.

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