'Absolutely criminal' - Yastika Bhatia criticised after WBBL run-out mix-up

A run-out mix-up in the 18th over of Brisbane Heat's innings at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney, on November 5 drew immediate criticism towards Yastika Bhatia during WBBL|12 Match 10 against Adelaide Strikers Women. The incident ended Charli Knott's innings on 104, cutting short what had been a remarkable knock from the Queenslander.

The WBBL's official broadcast captured the moment and shared it on X, prompting a commentator to react sharply.

"Oh man, this is absolutely criminal from Brisbane Heat and Yastika Bhatia, who was ball-watching. We were watching it unfold live, and Charli Knott could have easily made two runs. As the ball flew over the off side, Bhatia was merely jogging towards the other end. But let's take a moment to first celebrate what has been an absolute masterclass from Charli Knott," the commentator said.

Knott's maiden WBBL century and the run-out that ended it

The ball went towards the off side and there was a clear opportunity to convert a single into two runs. However, Bhatia's hesitation and lack of commitment to the second run allowed the fielding side to complete the dismissal, ending Knott's innings. The commentator described it as a communication breakdown between the two batters.

Knott had reached her half-century off 37 deliveries and then moved from 50 to 100 in a further 19 balls, completing her century off 56 deliveries in total. Her full innings of 104 came off 61 balls and included 12 boundaries and four sixes. It was her maiden WBBL century and, notably, she became the first player to score a hundred in the competition without having represented her country at international level, with all 12 previous century-makers in the league having been capped internationally.

Brisbane Heat finished their 20 overs on 184 for 4. Bhatia's own contribution with the bat was 16 runs off 18 deliveries, including one four, at a strike rate of 88.88. Adelaide Strikers were set 185 to win, with Laura Wolvaardt contributing 75 and Madeline Penna adding 68 in the chase, but Brisbane held on to win by 14 runs.

Bhatia's recent form across formats

The victory ended a 706-day wait for a WBBL win for Brisbane Heat, whose previous success had come in the Challenger Final in November 2024. Brisbane captain Georgia Redmayne was quoted by Cricket Australia as saying: "It feels so good — 706 is my new favourite number," and added that "Knotty was absolutely outstanding today, with the bat and the ball." Only four members of the Heat's XI in this match were part of that winning side from November 2024.

Knott's knock also lifted her to the top of the WBBL|12 run-scoring charts, and she was presented with the BKT Golden Cap after the match. Her tally of 177 runs across three games this season represented a significant improvement on her WBBL|11 campaign, in which she managed 121 runs at an average of 13.44 across the Heat's winless season.

Bhatia's form across her WBBL appearances this season has been modest. In Brisbane's earlier fixture against Sydney Thunder on November 1, she scored 1 off 3 deliveries before Georgia Voll took the catch and claimed the wicket. Brisbane posted 178 for 5 in that match but lost by six wickets.