Yastika Bhatia Joins Brisbane Heat as Jess Jonassen’s Replacement

Yastika Bhatia, who previously represented Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women's Caribbean Premier League, has returned to the WBBL, this time with Brisbane Heat instead of Melbourne Stars.

After Jess Jonassen was ruled out of the tournament due to a hip problem, Bhatia was signed up. She will join the Heat team before their second game of the season, on November 1 in Sydney against the Sydney Thunder, and stay for the entire season. Bhatia is the only Indian in this year's competition.

Bhatia, an Indian wicketkeeper who is only 25 years old but has played in four Tests, 28 ODIs, and 26 T20Is, played six games for Stars in the WBBL 2024. She had 154 runs, which was second on the team behind Meg Lanning's 158, but her runs were only 104.76, which was lower on the strike rate table.

In Australia, Bhatia has participated in one Test, three ODIs, and two T20Is.

"It's a big boost for us to be able to sign such a good, experienced international player so close to the tournament," Heat head coach Mark Sorrell said. "We will naturally miss Jess, but it is comforting to add another strong left-hander who can score runs to our lineup.

"Yastika has good experience playing in Australia and at Allan Border Field, so we are confident she will fit in nicely with the group."

Bhatia missed nearly 18 months of cricket, including India's ODI World Cup triumph in 2025, after rupturing her ACL in September last year. She made her international comeback during the T20 World Cup in June in England and made history in July when she became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's during India's 270-run win over England.

Heat's other overseas signings are Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast and England spinner Sarah Glenn.