Just ahead of the much-anticipated Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season, Gujarat Giants have suffered a significant blow with their key wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia being ruled out of the entire tournament due to injury. The 25-year-old, who was expected to play a vital role in the Giants’ lineup, has been unable to recover in time from a persistent knee injury, forcing her withdrawal from action.
Bhatia was roped in by Gujarat Giants at the recent mega auction for ₹50 lakh, a clear sign of the franchise’s faith in her abilities and importance to their squad balance. However, the same knee issue that saw her miss India’s home series against Australia and the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup has continued to trouble her, leaving her unavailable for the WPL.
Gujarat Giants took to social media to share an emotional video featuring teammates and support staff. The messages conveyed disappointment over losing a team leader but also heartfelt wishes for her recovery and a hopeful return to the field in future seasons.
While losing a key player so close to the start of the tournament is already challenging, an unusual twist in this situation is that Gujarat Giants are not allowed to sign a replacement for Bhatia. This has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts, but the restriction stems from clear provisions set out by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of the WPL 2026 auction.
Under current WPL regulations, franchises are not permitted to name replacement players for individuals who were already injured or unavailable at the time of the auction pool and/or when the squad was formed. Notably, Bhatia was still in the auction pool while recovering from her injury, and the Giants knowingly bought her despite the fitness concerns, the rule now bars them from registering a substitute.
This regulation aims to prevent teams from exploiting injury situations to later reinforce their squads with potentially stronger, fit players especially after the auction concludes. It applies not just to the Giants, but also to other franchises in similar scenarios, such as UP Warriorz with Pratika Rawal and Royal Challengers Bengaluru with Pooja Vastrakar, both of whom were dealing with fitness issues leading into the mega auction.
As a result, the Giants must now navigate the WPL 2026 season with their existing squad, adjusting tactics and batting orders to compensate for the absence of their first-choice Indian wicketkeeper. Before her injury struggles, Bhatia was viewed as a potential long-term option for India’s wicket keeping and batting roles, offering solid lower middle-order finishes and smart glovework behind the stumps.
Her absence from major events like the World Cup and now the WPL is a setback not only for her franchise but also for Indian women’s cricket, which has been building depth in the squad ahead of looming global tournaments. Bhatia debuted in the WPL in 2023 with Mumbai Indians Women, where she was prized for her dual role as both a middle order batter and wicketkeeper. She has 506 runs to her name in the WPL with a strike rate of 113.45.
For Gujarat Giants, losing Bhatia means more than just a statistical vacancy, it removes a player who could anchor innings, rotate strike effectively, and provide reliable wicketkeeping. With the team already set and no replacement allowed, the Giants must adapt quickly, reshuffling their batting order and relying on other players to fill her role.
Franchise captain Ashleigh Gardner, alongside overseas stars like Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine, will have to shoulder additional responsibility to cover the void left by Bhatia’s absence as they strive to navigate a competitive WPL season without one of India’s rising talents.
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