Gujarat Giants’ preparations for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) have suffered a significant setback with wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia officially ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The 25-year-old, who was roped in for ₹50 lakh at the WPL auction, will miss the entire season after failing to recover in time.
Bhatia was already nursing a knee injury when the auction took place, an issue that had kept her out of India’s tour of Australia as well as the ODI World Cup. She was replaced in the national squad by Uma Chetry, and despite ongoing rehabilitation, the injury has continued to sideline her ahead of the WPL.
As per the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCIs) regulations, Gujarat Giants will not be permitted to name a replacement for Bhatia. The rule applies to players who were injured prior to the auction, leaving the franchise with limited options as they reshape their squad for the new season.
The same directive could also impact other teams if injuries persist. Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Pooja Vastrakar and UP Warriorz batter Pratika Rawal may face similar situations, with their respective franchises unable to sign replacements should they fail to regain full fitness before the tournament begins.
Following the confirmation of Bhatia’s absence, Gujarat Giants shared a heartfelt message across their social media platforms, releasing a video in which teammates and support staff wished her a speedy recovery and expressed hope of welcoming her back in future seasons.
The setback comes at a crucial time for the Giants, who are still searching for their first WPL title. After finishing at the bottom of the table in the tournament’s first two editions, the franchise showed signs of progress last season, ending the league stage in third place.
As they head into the fourth edition of the WPL, Gujarat Giants will be eager to build on last season’s improvement, even as they adjust to the absence of one of their key Indian players.
