What the Gujarat Giants (GG) hoped hasn’t transpired into reality, as wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has officially been ruled out of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. But it is pertinent to note that GG cannot replace her in the WPL 2026 squad. The 25-year-old, bought for Rs 50 lakh at the recent auction, has failed to recover from a persistent knee injury that has already cost her an India series against Australia and a place in the Women’s ODI World Cup squad, where she was replaced by Uma Chetry.
Why can’t Gujarat sign Yastika’s replacement?
The fact that the Gujarat Giants can’t replace her is because Yastika was already injured when Gujarat picked her at the auction, and under existing BCCI regulations, teams are not permitted to replace players who were unavailable at the time of purchase. The BCCI made it clear before the WPL mega auction. That means Gujarat will have to navigate the entire season without one of their primary Indian batters and first-choice wicketkeeper, with no safety net.
Similar is the case with Pratika Rawal, who was signed by the UP Warriorz despite her ankle injury she suffered during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup group game.
The Giants acknowledged the setback with a heartfelt video on social media, featuring messages from teammates and staff expressing disappointment at her absence while wishing her a speedy recovery.
WPL 2026 field shrinking as stars fall away
Yastika isn’t the first big name ruled out of the WPL 2026. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and UP Warriorz are also facing similar uncertainty, with Pooja Vastrakar and Pratika Rawal racing against time to prove their fitness. If either fails, their franchises too will be barred from signing replacements.
Adding to the tournament’s thinning star power, Australian icons Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland have both withdrawn from WPL 2026 citing personal reasons. Perry’s pull-out dents RCB heavily, while Sutherland’s absence weakens Delhi Capitals (DC) massively as well. RCB have moved quickly, drafting in Sayali Satghare at her reserve price of Rs 30 lakh, while DC have signed leg-spinner Alana King for Rs 60 lakh. King arrives with a strong résumé, including 27 wickets in 27 T20Is and prior WPL experience with UP Warriorz. King was one of the best bowlers at the ODI World Cup as well.
WPL 2026 squad for Gujarat Giants
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Beth Mooney (WK), Shivani Singh, Bharti Fulmali, Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Ayushi Soni, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwar, Kim Garth, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur
Cricket
BCCI meeting: No discussions about Bangladesh's venue change request for T20 World Cup to ICC
