Yastika Bhatia ruled out of WPL 2026 citing fitness concerns:Yet to recovered from knee ligament surgery; Gujarat Giants bought Yastika for ₹50 lakh in 2025 mini auction

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, as she has not yet fully recovered from knee ligament surgery. The development comes as a setback for Gujarat Giants, who had picked her up for ₹50 lakh in last year’s mini auction despite concerns over her fitness. Yastika’s participation in the tournament was uncertain even before the season began. She underwent knee ligament surgery in October 2025, and her recovery has taken longer than expected, forcing her to miss the entire WPL 2026 season. Although she will not be able to play, Yastika remains closely connected with the team, continuing to support Gujarat Giants from the sidelines. Fitness concerns were known before the mini-auction Before the mini auction, WPL management had clearly informed all franchises that no replacement would be allowed if Yastika was signed and later ruled out due to injury. Despite this condition, both Gujarat Giants and UP Warriors showed interest in the wicketkeeper-batter. In the end, Gujarat Giants successfully signed Yastika for ₹50 lakh, hoping she would recover in time to feature in the tournament. Unfortunately, her rehabilitation is still ongoing, ruling her out of competitive action this season. Gujarat Giants back Yastika’s recovery Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger shared a video message on social media wishing Yastika a smooth and speedy recovery. He expressed hope that she would return stronger and play for Gujarat Giants in the future once she is fully fit. The franchise also posted a heartfelt message, stating that Yastika could have shined in the orange jersey, but circumstances were not in her favour. The team wished her well and assured continued support during her recovery phase. Present with the team despite being ruled out Yastika Bhatia remained with the squad during the opening match of WPL 2026 between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriors in Navi Mumbai. Though she did not take the field, she was seen cheering for her team from the stands alongside the franchise owners. Her presence was appreciated by fans and teammates alike, showing her commitment and bond with the team despite her injury setback. The opening match turned out to be a high-scoring contest. Gujarat Giants edged past UP Warriors by 10 runs, starting their WPL 2026 campaign on a positive note.