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Yastika Bhatia Out of WPL 2026: In a massive setback for Gujarat Giants, 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been officially ruled out of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026.
Yastika Bhatia ruled out of WPL 2026
Bhatia, who was acquired by the franchise for Rs 50 lakh at the recent auction, has failed to recover from a persistent knee injury. This same injury had previously forced her out of India’s series against Australia and the recent ODI World Cup, where she was replaced in the national squad by Uma Chetry.
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The situation is particularly complicated due to the timing of her injury. Because Bhatia was already sidelined when Gujarat Giants purchased her, the franchise will not be permitted to sign a replacement player under the current BCCI directives. This regulation also places other teams in a precarious position; notably, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz will face similar restrictions if Pooja Vastrakar and Pratika Rawal, respectively, fail to achieve fitness before the tournament begins.
Following the confirmation of her absence, the Gujarat Giants released a heartfelt video on social media to support their sidelined star. The tribute featured messages from several teammates and staff members who expressed their disappointment at her missing the season, while offering well-wishes for her recovery and looking forward to her return in future editions of the league.
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Gujarat Giants are scheduled to launch their WPL 2026 campaign on January 10 at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where they will face off against the UP Warriorz. The tournament itself begins just a day prior, on January 9, marking the start of a 28-day season that features a revised scheduling format. Most notably, the championship final will deviate from the traditional weekend slot, with the title clash officially set for Thursday, February 5.
The first half of the competition, consisting of 11 matches, will be hosted at the D.Y. Patil Stadium. This venue holds recent historic significance, having served as the backdrop for India’s emotional ODI World Cup victory over South Africa this past November. Included in this opening leg are two high-energy Saturday double-headers, scheduled for January 10 and 17, which are expected to draw significant crowds.
For the latter half of the season, the tournament will shift to the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara for the final 11 fixtures. This second leg will host the critical knockout stages, including the Eliminator on February 3. The league will then reach its climax with the midweek final two days later, providing a compact and intense conclusion to the fourth edition of the WPL.
Gujarat Giants' full squad for WPL 2026
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Beth Mooney (WK), Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Bharti Fulmali, Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Ayushi Soni, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwar, Kim Garth, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur
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