Huge blow for India: Star wicketkeeper ruled out of Australia series

India Women's National Cricket Team have suffered a massive blow as the 24-year-old star wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the upcoming series Australia Women's National Cricket Team.

To deal with the absence of Yastika Bhatia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has added a 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter to the squad.

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Yastika Bhatia ruled out of the Australia series due to a wrist injury

The wicketkeeper-batter Bhatia has featured in 3 Test matches, 28 ODI matches, and 19 T20I matches for India Women's National Cricket Team.

In Test matches, she has failed to impress as she has scored just 98 runs at an average of 19.60 and just one half-century. Talking about ODIs, Yastika Bhatia has scored 666 at an average of 24.66, including four half-centuries. In T20I, she has contributed 214 runs for the side at an average of 16.46.

There was a possibility of Yastika Bhatia adding a few more international matches in her bag, but that won't be the case, as she will be missing the ODI series against the Australian team due to a serious injury.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India revealed on Wednesday, November 27, that Bhatia has suffered a wrist injury that will keep her out of action for quite some time. Also, the board is closely monitoring her recovery.

"The BCCI Medical Team has confirmed that Ms. Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia due to a wrist injury. Her recovery is being closely monitored," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in an official media release.

Bhatia was recently seen in action in the ongoing Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) 2024, where she represented the Melbourne Stars Women, with her last outing coming on November 17.

Uma Chetry replaces injured Yastika Bhatia

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named the 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry as the replacement for injured Yastika Bhatia in the squad.

Chetry made her debut for India Women's National Cricket Team on July 7, 2024, in Chennai and has so far featured in 4 T20I matches where she has played just one innings, scoring 9 runs.

"The All India Women’s Selection Committee has named Ms. Uma Chetry as Bhatia’s replacement in the squad," the BCCI further added.

Talking about the India tour of Australia schedule, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship, the series opener is set to be held on December 5 at Allan Border Field in Brisbane followed by the second ODI on December 8. Meanwhile, the third and final ODI will be played on December 11 at WACA Ground, Perth.

Updated India Women’s ODI Squad:

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Priya Punia, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Richa Ghosh (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Radha Yadav, Titas Sadhu, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Saima Thakor, Uma Chetry (WK).