WBBL 12: Yastika Bhatia joins Brisbane Heat as Jess Jonassen replacement
Synopsis
Yastika Bhatia's WBBL 12 call-up is more than a squad reshuffle — it is a full-circle moment for a cricketer who missed 18 months, including India's ODI World Cup triumph, after an ACL rupture, then returned to make history as the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's. Now she arrives in Brisbane as the only Indian in this year's competition, tasked with replacing their most-capped player.
Key Takeaways
Yastika Bhatia has been signed by Brisbane Heat as a replacement for injured Jess Jonassen (hip complaint) in WBBL 12 .
The 25-year-old is Brisbane's third overseas signing and the only Indian cricketer in this year's competition.
She is expected to join the squad before Brisbane's game against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday.
Bhatia missed nearly 18 months of cricket after rupturing her ACL in September last year, including India's maiden ODI World Cup triumph.
She made history in July as the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's , in a 270-run win over England.
Brisbane open their WBBL 12 campaign against Sydney Sixers on Friday night under new captain Georgia Redmayne .
India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia is set to return to the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) after Brisbane Heat signed her as a replacement for injured stalwart Jess Jonassen, completing their overseas contingent ahead of the WBBL 12 season. The 25-year-old becomes Brisbane's third overseas signing and the sole Indian cricketer in this year's competition.
Bhatia's Role and Arrival Timeline
Yastika is expected to join the squad before Brisbane's second fixture against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday and will remain available for the remainder of the tournament. The left-hander previously featured for Melbourne Stars during WBBL 10, giving her familiarity with Australian conditions and the competition's demands.
She brings with her 58 international appearances for India across all three formats and six matches of WBBL experience — a profile that Brisbane's coaching staff believe fills the void left by Jonassen's enforced absence.
Why Jonassen Was Ruled Out
Jess Jonassen, Brisbane Heat's most-capped player and former captain, has been sidelined by a hip complaint. Her absence prompted the franchise to seek additional batting depth from the overseas pool. Jonassen's experience and leadership will be difficult to replicate, but the Heat have moved swiftly to ensure minimal disruption to their batting order.
Head coach Mark Sorrell welcomed the signing, saying: 'Being able to sign such a quality, experienced international player so close to the tournament is a great boost for us. 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.'
Bhatia's Remarkable Comeback Story
Yastika's inclusion carries added significance given her injury history. She ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September last year, ruling her out for nearly 18 months — a period that included India's historic maiden ODI World Cup title campaign.
Her return to form has been nothing short of exceptional. In July, she scored a century on her first Test appearance since surgery, becoming the first woman to register a Test hundred at Lord's, helping India secure a commanding 270-run victory over England. She has also twice won the Women's Premier League with Mumbai Indians, in 2023 and 2025, and was part of India's T20 World Cup squad earlier this year.
Brisbane Heat's WBBL 12 Campaign
The Heat open their WBBL 12 season against the Sydney Sixers in Brisbane on Friday night, under new captain Georgia Redmayne. The side is looking to bounce back after a winless previous season, with their last victory recorded in 2024.
Yastika joins England spinner Sarah Glenn and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast as Brisbane's overseas trio. The full 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 and Mikayla Wrigley. All eyes will be on whether Bhatia's return to Australian conditions can inject the batting momentum Brisbane desperately need after their difficult 2024-25 campaign.
Point of View
But it also highlights a structural reality of women's cricket: India's top players are increasingly sought-after overseas commodities, yet the domestic calendar's congestion means franchises often get them only in compressed windows or as late injury replacements. Bhatia is arriving mid-tournament, not by design but by circumstance. For Brisbane, a side that went winless last season, a single overseas addition — however talented — is unlikely to transform their fortunes without collective improvement. The more interesting subplot is whether Bhatia can carry the momentum of her Lord's hundred into the shortest format after a long injury layoff; her ACL history means workload management will matter as much as form.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Brisbane Heat sign Yastika Bhatia for WBBL 12?
Brisbane Heat signed Yastika Bhatia as a replacement for Jess Jonassen, who was ruled out of WBBL 12 with a hip complaint. Bhatia's left-handed batting depth and familiarity with Australian conditions made her the franchise's chosen overseas replacement.
Who is Yastika Bhatia and what is her playing record?
Yastika Bhatia is a 25-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batter with 58 international appearances across all three formats. She made history in July as the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's, hitting a century in her comeback match after nearly 18 months out with an ACL injury.
When will Yastika Bhatia make her debut for Brisbane Heat in WBBL 12?
She is expected to link up with the squad before Brisbane's second fixture against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday and will be available for the rest of the tournament.
Who are Brisbane Heat's other overseas players in WBBL 12?
Brisbane Heat's overseas contingent for WBBL 12 consists of Yastika Bhatia (India), England spinner Sarah Glenn, and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast.
How did Yastika Bhatia perform in her ACL comeback?
Bhatia made a remarkable return in July, scoring a Test century in her first appearance since ACL surgery — becoming the first woman to register a Test hundred at Lord's. The innings helped India defeat England by 270 runs.
