Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has returned to the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), joining Brisbane Heat for the upcoming season. She will replace Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hip injury. Bhatia recently played for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women's Caribbean Premier League. She will join Brisbane Heat ahead of their second match against Sydney Thunder in Sydney on November 1 and remain with the team for the rest of the season.
Bhatia previously played for Melbourne Stars in the 2024 WBBL season. She scored 154 runs in six matches, making her the team's second-highest run-scorer behind Meg Lanning, who scored 158 runs. The 25-year-old Indian batter has played four Tests, 28 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 26 T20 Internationals for India. She also has experience playing in Australia across all three international formats. Brisbane Heat head coach Mark Sorrell welcomed Bhatia's signing and praised her experience and batting skills. He said the team would miss Jonassen but was pleased to bring in another experienced left-handed batter.
Bhatia missed nearly 18 months of cricket after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in September 2024. Her absence also meant she missed India's successful ODI World Cup campaign in 2025. She returned to international cricket during the T20 World Cup in England in June. In July, Bhatia achieved a major milestone by becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's, helping India secure a 270-run victory over England. Apart from Bhatia, Brisbane Heat have signed England spinner Sarah Glenn and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast as their other overseas players.