In order to finalise their lineup ahead of the upcoming season, Brisbane Heat signed Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia to replace injured veteran Jess Jonassen in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Yastika, who played for Melbourne Stars in WBBL 10, was the sole Indian cricket player in this year’s competition and Brisbane’s third foreign acquisition for WBBL 12.
The 25-year-old will be available for the remainder of the competition and is anticipated to join the team prior to their second match against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday. She has also participated in two Twenty20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals, and one Test on Australian soil, giving her a working acquaintance with local conditions, notably at the Heat’s home ground, Allan Border Field.
A hip ailment has kept Brisbane’s most-capped player and former captain Jonassen out of action, forcing the team to look to Bhatia for more batting depth. With 58 appearances for India in all three formats, the left-hander from India has participated in six games in the competition.
Cricinfo states Sorrell saying, “Being able to sign such a quality, experienced international player so close to the tournament is a great boost for us. We will miss Jess, of course, but it is reassuring to bring in another strong scoring left-hander into our batting line-up. Yastika has good experience playing in Australia and at Allan Border Field, so we are confident she will fit in nicely with the group.”
Yastika will be part of Brisbane’s foreign team for the season, along with Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast and England spinner Sarah Glenn. The Heat, led by new captain Georgia Redmayne, will play the Sydney Sixers in Brisbane on Friday nite to begin their WBBL 12 campaign. The team is hoping to turn things around after losing the previous season. Their most recent triumph occurred in 2024.
