Gujarat Giants' Yastika Bhatia Sidelined for WPL 2026
In a significant blow to the Gujarat Giants (GG) campaign, their star wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been officially ruled out for the entire remainder of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. The franchise's head coach, Michael Klinger, confirmed this development in a video shared on the team's social media channels, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
Injury and Auction Gamble
The news, while disappointing, does not come as a complete surprise. Bhatia's availability for this season was under a cloud from the outset, as she had undergone ACL surgery in October prior to the auction. The WPL governing council had informed all franchises of a crucial condition: any team selecting Bhatia would not be permitted to sign a replacement player for her during the tournament.
Despite this risk, the Gujarat Giants secured the talented player for a substantial sum of Rs 50 lakh during the WPL auction. Bhatia was previously a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad in the league. Over three WPL seasons, she has compiled 506 runs in 28 matches, maintaining an average of 18.74 and a strike rate of 113.45.
Coach's Message and Team Support
In his video message, Coach Michael Klinger expressed his support for the recovering player. "Hope you are going well and hope the recovery is going well for you," Klinger said. "Cannot wait to see you back fit and strong and be part of the Gujarat Giants in WPL season 5."
Bhatia's presence was felt on the sidelines during GG's opening match. On Saturday in Navi Mumbai, she was spotted with the team owners, enthusiastically cheering for her franchise from the dugout during their clash against the UP Warriorz.
Opening Match Result and Looking Ahead
In that high-scoring encounter at the DY Patil Stadium, the Gujarat Giants emerged victorious by a narrow margin. They posted a formidable 207/4 in their 20 overs, powered by Ashleigh Gardner's 65 and Anushka Sharma's 44. The UP Warriorz put up a valiant fight, largely due to Phoebe Litchfield's brilliant 78, but fell short by 10 runs, finishing at 197/8.
The loss of Yastika Bhatia is a major setback for the Giants' middle-order and wicketkeeping options. The team will now have to navigate the rest of the competitive season without the option to bring in a new player, relying on their existing squad depth to cover the gap left by the injured star.
