Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia made her mark on the international stage by debuting for the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). This must be a memorable day for Yastika, as it marked her first appearance in franchise cricket outside India. Prior to this, she had played in Indian franchises, including Velocity and the Mumbai Indians women’s team.
In her firstmatch for the Stars, Yastika delivered an impressive performance, scoring a classy half-century that helped her team to gain a seven-wicket win over the Hobart Hurricanes at the Junction Oval on Sunday.
Dominating the run-chase
Batting first, the Hobart Hurricanes managed to post 133 runs for the loss of seven wickets, thanks to contributions from Nicola Carey and Chloe Tryon. However, the Melbourne Stars were unfazed by the target. Yastika Bhatia led the charge, scoring a brilliant 57 runs off 46 balls, which included seven fours and a six. Her stellar innings ensured that the Stars reached their target with 13 balls to spare.
Yastika’s performance was complemented by contributions from Meg Lanning and captain Annabel Sutherland, who played crucial roles in ensuring a smooth run-chase.
A special moment for Yastika
After her innings, Yastika shared her thoughts with Fox Cricket, highlighting the support she received during the game. “Meg really helped me when I was in the middle in the (power) surge,” she said. “She told me exactly what the bowlers were going to bowl, so it helped me out in the middle. Also, my family is here, so it’s a special moment for me.” she added.
The match saw Heather Graham taking both Stars openers, while Carey claimed the important wicket of Lanning. Additionally, South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and Kim Garth played crucial roles in tightening the bowling against the Hurricanes. Indian off-spinner Deepti Sharma also made her presence felt, taking 1 for 27 in her first appearance for the Stars.
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