Yastika Bhatia, who recently played in the Women's Caribbean Premier League for Trinbago Knight Riders, has returned to the WBBL, though not for her earlier team Melbourne Stars but Brisbane Heat.

Bhatia was signed up once Jess Jonassen was ruled out of the tournament because of a hip issue. She will join the Heat squad before their second game of the season, against Sydney Thunder in Sydney on November 1, and stay for the entire season. Bhatia is the only Indian in this year's competition.

India wicketkeeper-batter Bhatia, just 25 but with the experience of four Tests, 28 ODIs and 26 T20Is, played six games for Stars in WBBL 2024. She was the team's second-highest run-getter with 154 (behind Meg Lanning's 158), but was lower down on the strike-rate table, her runs coming at just 104.76.

Bhatia has played one Test, three ODIs and two T20Is in Australia.

"Being able to sign such a quality, experienced international player so close to the tournament is great boost for us,'' Mark Sorrell, the Heat head coach, said. "We will miss Jess, of course, but it is reassuring to bring in another strong scoring left-hander into our batting line-up.

"Yastika has good experience playing in Australia and at Allan Border Field, so we are confident she will fit in nicely with the group."

Bhatia missed nearly 18 months of cricket, including India's ODI World Cup triumph in 2025, after rupturing her ACL in September last year. She made her international comeback during the T20 World Cup in June in England and made history in July when she became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's during India's 270-run win over England.

England spinner Sarah Glenn and Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast are Heat's two other overseas signings.