India wicketkeeper-batter returns to WBBL, but not with Melbourne Stars

Brisbane Heat have secured India international Yastika Bhatia to complete their squad for the upcoming women’s Big Bash season.

Bhatia, who played six games for Melbourne Stars in WBBL|10, returns to the league as the sole Indian player in this year’s competition.

The 25-year-old’s signing comes after the club’s most-capped player Jess Jonassen was ruled out of the tournament with a hip complaint.

The former captain has been replaced in the Heat’s roster by Bhatia, who will join the team before their second match against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday.

She’ll be available for the remainder of WBBL|12, much to the delight of Brisbane Heat head coach Mark Sorrell.

“Being able to sign such a quality, experienced international player so close to the tournament is great boost for us,’’ said Sorrell.

“We will miss Jess (Jonassen) of course, but it is reassuring to bring in another strong scoring left-hander into our batting line-up.

“Yastika (Bhatia) has good experience playing in Australia and at Allan Border Field so we are confident she will fit in nicely with the group.”

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Jonassen is one of six changes to the Heat’s WBBL list with Nicola Hancock (Sydney Thunder), Nadine de Klerk (Thunder) and Chinelle Henry (Hobart Hurricanes) all moving clubs ahead of the new season.

Bhatia’s countrywoman, Jemimah Rodrigues, is also absent from their squad despite featuring for the Queensland-based side in their last two campaigns.

Brisbane Heat’s WBBL|12 squad

WBBL|12 squad: Lily Bassingthwaighte, Bonnie Berry, Yastika Bhatia (India), Lucinda Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Sarah Glenn (England), Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Charli Knott, Annie O’Neil, Grace Parsons, Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Georgia Redmayne, Catherine White, Mikayla Wrigley

 

Outs: Chinelle Henry (Hurricanes), Jemimah Rodrigues (India), Nicola Hancock (Thunder), Jess Jonassen (hip complaint), Nadine de Klerk (Thunder), Lauren Winfield-Hill (England – ORP)

 

Coach: Mark Sorrell

Bhatia brings 58 games of international experience to the Heat having represented her country in all three formats of the game.

The wicketkeeper-batter missed nearly 18 months of cricket, including India’s maiden ODI World Cup title after she ruptured her ACL in September last year.

Despite the setback Bhatia made history in July during her first Test match back since surgery.

India’s No.3 became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s during her country’s emphatic 270-run victory over England.

She was also a member of India’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this year and has claimed two Women’s Premier League titles with Mumbai Indians in 2023 and 2025.

Bhatia is the Heat’s third and final overseas recruit for WBBL|12.

The versatile left-hander joins England spinner Sarah Glenn and Irish allrounder Orla Prendergast as the team’s internationals for their campaign.

The Heat will begin their season against Sydney Sixers in Brisbane on Friday night.

Under the leadership of new captain Georgia Redmayne, the side are eyeing their first win since 2024 after failing to register a victory last year.