Due to wrist fracture, Yastika Bhatia ruled out of WBBL 2024
India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024 due to a wrist fracture. Bhatia sustained the injury during the melbourne derby on November 15, where she scored 11 off 8 balls for Melbourne Stars at the MCG. Despite the “small fracture,” she played in the Stars’ next game against Brisbane Heat but missed the following match against Sydney Thunder on November 20, where Sophie Ried replaced her as wicketkeeper and opener.
Bhatia is now returning to India for further assessment and faces a race to recover in time for India’s three-match ODI series against Australia starting on December 5. With long-term opener ShafaliVerma dropped from the squad, Bhatia was seen as a key option to open for India. The Indian team has not yet named a replacement for her in the 16-member squad. PriyaPunia, who was recalled to the ODI squad, remains an alternative should Bhatia not recover in time.
In her maiden WBBL stint, Bhatia made a significant impact. She scored 154 runs in six innings, with an average of 25.66 and a strike rate of nearly 105. She impressed on debut with 36 runs off 28 balls and later earned Player of the Match honors for her 57-run knock against Hobart Hurricanes.