Setback For India – Yastika Bhatia Ruled Out Of ODI Series And 2025 World Cup, Uma Chetry Named Replacement News24 –
Just weeks before the start of the much-anticipated 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, Team India has been dealt a significant blow. Yastika Bhatia, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter who has been a regular in India’s white-ball setup, has been ruled out of both the three-match ODI series against Australia and the upcoming World Cup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the news on Thursday, revealing that Yastika sustained a left knee injury during the team’s preparatory camp in Visakhapatnam. While the extent of the injury has not been disclosed in detail, she is currently under the watchful eye of the BCCI medical team.
Heartbreak at the Doorstep of a World Cup
This is not just a selection update – it’s a story of heartbreak for Yastika, who had worked her way into becoming one of India’s most dependable faces behind the stumps. Known for her composed presence at the crease and growing leadership qualities, Yastika was expected to play a pivotal role in India’s World Cup campaign on home soil.
Injury at this stage, so close to a global tournament, can be mentally and emotionally draining for any athlete. For Yastika, who has worn the gloves with pride and fought her way into the playing XI in a competitive squad, it’s an especially painful moment.
Uma Chetry Gets the Call
With Yastika sidelined, the selectors have turned to Uma Chetry, who was initially slated to represent India A in a warm-up fixture leading into the World Cup. The 21-year-old from Assam has been on the selectors’ radar for a while, impressing in the domestic circuit and India A tours with her glove work and ability to chip in with the bat.
Her inclusion in both the ODI squad against Australia and the World Cup squad is a sign of the faith the team management has in her potential.
“Uma Chetry has been tracking well. She has the temperament and skillset to step up when needed,” said a senior official from the BCCI on condition of anonymity.
With this change, Uma will no longer be part of the India A squad, giving her time to integrate with the senior team and prepare for the high-pressure fixtures ahead.
Eyes on Recovery, and the Future
While fans come to terms with the news of Yastika’s absence, there’s hope that the breakthrough untimely – will give her the time she needs to recover fully. At just 24, her international career has many more chapters left to write.
For now, India’s focus shifts to Australia, a team that continues to be a dominant force in world cricket. The three-match series starting next week will serve as a key tune-up for both teams heading into the World Cup.
And for Uma Chetry, the stage is now set. The gloves are hers. The opportunity is immense.
India’s updated ODI squad against Australia:Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Gaud, Sayali Satghare, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Uma Chetry (wk)
Standby players for ODI series against Australia: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra
India’s updated squad for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Renuka Singh Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kranti Gaud, Amanjot Kaur, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Uma Chetry (wk)
Standby players for ICC Women’s World Cup: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
India A’s updated squad: Minnu Mani (c), Dhara Gujjar, Shafali Verma, Tejal Hasabnis, Vrinda Dinesh, Nandini Kashyap (wk), Tanushree Sarkar, Tanuja Kanwer, Titas Sadhu, Sayali Satghare, Saima Thakor, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Raghvi Bist