In a sport that thrives on moments, it’s heartbreaking when one of those moments is lost to technology. That’s precisely what happened with the second episode of “Stumps, Stories, and Spills”, featuring Team India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia. A technical glitch corrupted the interview file, making it impossible to air. As Trisha di and I, who conducted the chat—put it, we were heartbroken. But in the spirit of the game and the conversation, we wanted to bring Yastika’s words to the readers. Her story is worth sharing.
As the Indian women’s cricket team prepares for the ODI World Cup at home, their immediate focus is firmly on the tri-series in Sri Lanka against the hosts and South Africa, starting 27 April. In her conversation with RevSportz, Yastika offered insights into her journey so far, the people who shaped her game, and how she plans to bounce back after a personally underwhelming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season.
Yastika, who recently won her second WPL title with Mumbai Indians, admitted that things didn’t quite go her way with the bat this time. “This season wasn’t great for me personally. I know the numbers weren’t good—just 88 runs in 10 matches—but that’s cricket,” she said, candid in her assessment.
Despite the low returns, she expressed deep gratitude for the support she received from within the Mumbai Indians camp. “Charlotte Edwards, Kiran Sir (Kiran More), and Harry di (Harmanpreet Kaur) backed me throughout. Their belief meant a lot,” she shared.
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Determined to make a stronger return, Yastika said she has already begun work on her game. “I’ve sat down with myself, identified where I went wrong, and I’m focusing on not repeating those mistakes—especially in the tri-series, if I get a chance to play,” she stated.
The 23-year-old also opened up about the people who have shaped her cricketing journey. “Mithali di (Mithali Raj) helped me a lot when I came into the Indian team. I used to ask her so many questions about batting and handling pressure at this level,” she recalled fondly.
In the current Indian setup, Yastika often turns to senior players for guidance. “Whenever I have a doubt, I go to either Harry di (Harmanpreet Kaur) or Smriti (Smriti Mandhana). I always learn something useful when I talk to them,” she said.
International exposure has also played a key role in her development. Reflecting on her time with Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League, she said: “Batting with Meg Lanning was amazing—I learnt so much. Marizanne Kapp and Nat Sciver-Brunt looked intimidating at first, but they’re both so friendly and helpful once you talk to them.”
Yastika’s cricketing story began early. At the age of eight, she and her sister joined a cricket academy and trained with boys. “We were the only girls, but we just loved the game. By the time I was 11, I was in the Baroda Senior State team,” she shared.
Though she excelled academically and was even on track to pursue medicine, cricket was her calling. “Science was my stream in 12th, and I did well. But cricket was always the priority,” she said.
And what made her fall in love with batting? “The joy of watching fielders chase the ball after I hit it—that’s what excites me the most,” Yastika said with a smile.
As the Indian team eyes the World Cup, so does Yastika. “My ultimate dream is to help India win the World Cup. That’s what I’m working towards every single day,” she concluded.
The video may have been lost, but the story remains—powerful, inspiring, and full of heart. Thank you, Trisha di (Trisha Ghosal), for helping out in this piece by remembering our conversation with Yastika.
Also Read: “The ultimate dream is to represent India in a World Cup” – Sneh Rana