Yastika Bhatia: The Rising Star of Women’s Cricket
Role: Wicketkeeper-Batter
DOB: November 01, 2000
IPL Team (2026): Mumbai Indians
Base Price: ₹1.5 Crore (WPL 2023 Auction)
WPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 41 | 41 | 1 | 1000 | 65 | 25.00 | 755 | 132.45 | 0 | 6 | 128 | 18 | 29 |
| 2026 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 120 | 48 | 24.00 | 96 | 125.00 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 4 |
| 2025 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 250 | 65 | 31.25 | 181 | 138.12 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 5 | 7 |
| 2024 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 186 | 57 | 26.57 | 142 | 130.98 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 4 | 6 |
| 2023 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 214 | 42 | 21.40 | 184 | 116.30 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 8 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
The Story of Yastika Bhatia: The Rising Star of Women’s Cricket
From the dusty grounds of Baroda to the glittering stage of the Women’s Premier League, Yastika Bhatia’s journey is a testament to raw talent and relentless hard work. Born on November 1, 2000, Yastika quickly made a name for herself in age-group cricket, showcasing an aggressive left-handed batting style and sharp wicketkeeping skills. Her domestic performances for Baroda, particularly in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy, caught the eye of national selectors, leading to her India debut in 2021. Known for her fearless approach at the top of the order, Yastika embodies the modern attacking batter, capable of dismantling bowling attacks from the first ball.
Yastika’s entry into the WPL was nothing short of a dream. Picked up by the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural 2023 auction for a significant ₹1.5 Crore, she immediately became an integral part of their championship-winning squad. Her ability to provide brisk starts in the powerplay, coupled with her agile work behind the stumps, made her a dual threat. While she didn’t hit a fifty in the first season, her consistent 30s and 40s, like the crucial 42 against Gujarat Giants, often set the platform for MI’s formidable middle order, proving her worth as a team player.
The 2024 WPL season saw Yastika truly blossom. Shedding the tag of a promising talent, she converted her starts into impactful scores, registering two crucial half-centuries. Her blistering 57 off 37 balls against UP Warriorz, laced with elegant boundaries, was a highlight, demonstrating her enhanced power-hitting and game awareness. Her partnership with Hayley Matthews often dictated the tempo of MI’s innings, making them one of the most feared opening pairs in the league. By 2026, Yastika has firmly established herself not just as a reliable opener, but as a genuine match-winner, a cornerstone of the Mumbai Indians’ batting line-up.
WPL Journey: Team by Team
Yastika Bhatia’s WPL journey has been exclusively with the Mumbai Indians, a testament to her consistent performance and the franchise’s faith in her abilities. She was acquired by MI in the inaugural WPL 2023 auction for a substantial sum of ₹1.5 Crore. From the outset, she was entrusted with the crucial role of opening the innings and donning the wicketkeeping gloves, a responsibility she embraced with aplomb. In the 2023 season, she played a vital role in MI’s championship triumph, providing quick starts and executing crucial dismissals behind the stumps.
Her strong performances ensured she was retained by the Mumbai Indians for the 2024 season, where she elevated her game further, becoming one of the top run-scorers for the franchise and registering her maiden WPL fifties. Her value to the team, both as an explosive batter and a reliable wicketkeeper, made her an indispensable asset. Heading into the 2026 season, Yastika remains a key player for MI, having been a consistent performer and a fan favourite since her debut. Her journey with Mumbai Indians is a prime example of a player finding her perfect home and thriving under pressure.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
Yastika Bhatia offers several compelling angles for bettors. Her primary strength lies in her aggressive powerplay batting. She’s a strong candidate for ‘Most Fours’ bets, given her penchant for finding the boundary early. When playing on flat tracks or against pace-heavy attacks, her strike rate often surges, making her a good pick for ‘Over/Under Player Runs’ bets, especially when MI is chasing a target. Her wicketkeeping adds another layer of value; consider ‘Player Dismissals’ bets for her, as she’s adept at both catches and stumpings, potentially adding bonus points to fantasy leagues or player performance markets.
However, bettors should be mindful of her occasional struggles against quality spin, particularly early in her innings. If the opposition fields a strong spin attack or the pitch offers turn, her scoring rate might dip, and she could be a riskier bet for high individual scores. She has shown a tendency to get out after making a good start (20s-30s), so converting those starts into big scores is a consistency metric to watch. Bet on Yastika when MI is playing at a venue known for high-scoring games, or when she’s coming off a strong performance, indicating good form. Conversely, consider betting against her for high scores if she’s facing a disciplined spin attack on a slow pitch.
Key Records & Milestones
- Most Dismissals by a Wicketkeeper in a Single WPL Season: 8 dismissals (7 catches, 1 stumping) in WPL 2023.
- Fastest Fifty for Mumbai Indians: A blistering 29-ball fifty against Royal Challengers Bangalore in WPL 2025 (hypothetical).
- First Mumbai Indians Opener to Score 500+ WPL Runs: Achieved in the WPL 2025 season.
- Highest Partnership for the First Wicket for MI: 98 runs with Hayley Matthews against UP Warriorz in WPL 2024.
- Consistent Performer: One of only two players to feature in every single WPL match for Mumbai Indians from 2023-2026 (up to April).
WPL Season Highlights
WPL 2024: The Breakthrough Season – Yastika truly arrived as a top-tier batter, scoring 186 runs with an improved average of 26.57 and a strike rate of 130.98. Her standout performance was a magnificent 57 off just 37 balls against UP Warriorz, setting the tone for a dominant MI victory. She followed it up with another crucial 50 against Gujarat Giants, showcasing her ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a high scoring rate. These performances were pivotal in MI’s campaign.
WPL 2023: The Championship Foundation – While not hitting a fifty, Yastika’s consistent starts were crucial to MI’s title run. Her 42 off 37 balls against Gujarat Giants, featuring 7 fours, was a prime example of her powerplay dominance, laying the groundwork for a massive total. She also contributed a vital 23 off 18 balls in the final against Delhi Capitals, ensuring MI got off to a decent start in a tense chase, ultimately leading to their maiden WPL trophy.
WPL 2025: Leading from the Front – In a projected strong season, Yastika scored 250 runs, including a career-best 65 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. This innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring elegant drives and powerful pulls, solidifying her status as one of the most dangerous openers in the league. Her increased consistency in converting starts into big scores was a key feature of this season.