WPL 2026: Yastika Bhatia Ruled Out of the Tournament, Gujarat Giants Cannot Name Replacement
Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of WPL 2026 due to a knee injury, leaving Gujarat Giants without a replacement option.
Gujarat Giants have suffered an early setback in the Women’s Premier League 2026. Wicketkeeper batter Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the entire season due to a knee injury that has not healed in time.
The franchise picked Yastika for INR 50 lakh at the mega auction, despite knowing she was recovering from ACL surgery done in October. Months later, she is still not match-fit, forcing her to miss another major tournament.
This injury is not new for Yastika. The same knee problem had earlier kept her out of the home ODI World Cup and the series against Australia. The hope was that she would return during the WPL, but recovery has taken longer than expected.
As per rules set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, teams cannot sign a replacement if a player was already injured at the time of the auction. Because of this, Gujarat Giants are stuck with a reduced squad for the season.
The absence has forced the team to rethink both their batting order and wicketkeeping plans. Yastika was expected to add balance in the middle order and give the side a reliable Indian wicketkeeping option.
In her absence, Australian star Beth Mooney is set to take over as the main wicketkeeper. While Mooney brings vast experience, the Giants now lose flexibility with overseas player combinations.
The decision to buy an already injured player has drawn mixed reactions. Some analysts feel it was a big gamble that has not paid off, especially in a short tournament like the WPL.
Despite being sidelined, Yastika has remained closely involved with the squad. She was seen in the dugout during Gujarat’s opening match win over the UP Warriorz, cheering loudly for her teammates.
The Gujarat Giants also shared a heartfelt video on social media, wishing her a speedy recovery and hoping to see her back in future seasons.
For now, the focus shifts to how the Giants adjust without her, as they look to build momentum in WPL 2026 despite this early blow.
