Brisbane Heat have signed India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia as an injury replacement for Jess Jonassen, who is out of WBBL 12 with a hip problem. The 25-year-old, the only Indian in this year’s competition, will join the squad before the Heat’s second match on 1 November.
Bhatia returns to the Women’s Big Bash League after playing for Melbourne Stars in 2024, and she arrives as the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s. Brisbane confirmed the signing on Wednesday, a day before the tournament begins.
Why the Heat needed a replacement
Jonassen, Brisbane’s most-capped player and a former captain, is out of the tournament with a hip problem. Bhatia becomes the Heat’s third overseas player of the season, alongside England spinner Sarah Glenn and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast.
A comeback built on a Lord’s century
Bhatia tore her ACL in September 2025 and spent about 18 months out of the game. The high point of her return came in July, when she made 113 in the one-off Test at Lord’s, India’s 270-run win over England. She has played four Tests, 28 ODIs and 26 T20Is for India.
What she brings from the WBBL
In six matches for Melbourne Stars in 2024, Bhatia scored 154 runs at a strike rate of 104.76. Only Meg Lanning, with 158, scored more for the Stars that season. Heat head coach Mark Sorrell called the signing a great boost and said her left-handed scoring strengthens the batting order.
When she joins
Bhatia will join the squad before the Heat’s second match, against Sydney Thunder at Drummoyne Oval on 1 November. Brisbane missed the finals last season, the first time in eight seasons they had not reached the deciders, and Bhatia gives them an experienced international batter as the new campaign starts.
