WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia ruled out for rest of season

Gujarat Giants wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. Her participation this season was always uncertain, as she underwent ACL surgery in October.

Ahead of the auction, the WPL had informed franchises that any team picking Yastika would not be allowed to name a replacement. Despite this condition, both Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz bid for her, with Gujarat Giants eventually securing her services for INR 50 lakh. Notably, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are the only two teams that have failed to qualify for the WPL final across the three seasons so far.

"Hope you are going well and hope the recovery is going well for you. Cannot wait to see you back fit and strong and be part of the Gujarat Giants in WPL season 5," said Michael Klinger as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

WPL 2026: GG W vs UPW W Highlights & Result - Match 2

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WPL 2026: GG W vs UPW W Highlights & Result - Match 2

This would have been Bhatia’s first season with Gujarat Giants, having previously represented Mumbai Indians. Across three seasons with MI, she scored 506 runs in 28 matches at an average of 18.74 and a strike rate of 113.45. During Gujarat Giants’ opening match against UP Warriorz in Navi Mumbai, Bhatia was seen with the team owners, supporting her side from the stands.

In the match, Gujarat Giants Women defeated UP Warriorz Women by 10 runs in the second fixture of the WPL 2026 on January 10 in Navi Mumbai. UP Warriorz won the toss and chose to bowl first. Gujarat Giants posted an imposing total of 207/4 in 20 overs, led by Ashleigh Gardner’s 65 off 41 balls. She was well supported by Anushka Sharma, Georgia Wareham, and Sophie Devine. Sophie Ecclestone was the standout bowler for UP Warriorz, returning figures of 2/32.

In reply, UP Warriorz showed brief resistance during the middle overs but ultimately fell short of the target. Phoebe Litchfield top-scored with a brisk 78 off 40 balls, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to provide support, resulting in a 10-run defeat. For Gujarat Giants, Renuka Singh Thakur, Devine, and Georgia Wareham picked up two wickets each to seal the win.