Yastika Bhatia Returns to Glory with Lord’s Test Century

From ACL Injury to Lord’s Glory

Yastika Bhatia’s cricketing journey took a dramatic twist when a career‑threatening ACL tear in her left knee sidelined her for more than 18 months. The setback robbed her of a spot in the home 2025 ODI World Cup, a tournament she had dreamed of playing in. After an extensive rehabilitation stint at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, she returned to competitive action and made history as the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s. Her match‑winning 113‑run innings, crafted over 158 balls against England, capped a remarkable comeback and earned her a felicitation from the Baroda Cricket Association.

The Special Feeling of a Lord’s Hundred

Scoring a hundred at Lord’s is a rare honour, and Yastika described the moment as “a very special feeling.” She confessed that the pitch was tricky at the start, but she focused on staying at the crease, targeting the 61 runs needed after day one and the 91 runs at lunch the following day. The emotional rush of completing the century—after a powerful visit to the Mahakal Temple—felt, in her words, like standing before God. She thanked her family, well‑wishers, and the support network that helped her navigate the two‑year ordeal.

Support System and Mentors

Kiran More, her coach, repeatedly assured Yastika that her time would come, urging her to be a diligent student of the game even while not playing. He called her his “best student,” a label that became a source of motivation during her recovery. Smriti Mandhana, drawing from her own 2017 injury comeback, reminded Yastika that the rehab period could be a turning point, promising valuable lessons in cricket and life. Team India coach Amol Muzumdar, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, and senior players kept in regular contact, urging her to heal quickly and rejoin the squad.

Vadodara’s Role in Shaping Her Career

Vadodara has been the backbone of Yastika’s development, and she credits the Baroda Cricket Association for its unwavering support. Former Indian cricketer Rajkuvardevi Gaekwad, who hails from the city, consistently praised Yastika’s potential, predicting she would play for India alongside Radha Yadav. Santosh Chaugule, her coach, and Kiran More have been stalwarts in her mentoring team. The moment her name appeared on the Lord’s honours board, she felt the city’s contribution was finally recognized, fueling her ambition to deliver more victories for India.

Rehab, Family, and Future Goals

After surgery, Yastika’s mother Garima Bhatia moved to Bengaluru and stayed by her side throughout rehabilitation, describing the post‑surgery period as never easy and noting that Yastika’s spirits dipped early on. Garima expressed pride in her daughter’s resurgence, especially after the emotional Test century at Lord’s. The support from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, teammates, and coaches gradually lifted Yastika’s morale. Looking ahead, Yastika aims to secure a spot in the 2028 Olympic squad, dreaming of an Olympic gold for India while celebrating the pay parity that now makes cricket a viable career for young girls.

Impact on Women’s Cricket

With match fees now on par with the men’s team, parents across India are viewing cricket as a realistic career path for daughters. Yastika believes that the BCCI and ICC’s promotion of the women’s game, combined with media support, has created an encouraging environment. The rise of Team India’s performances continues to inspire a new generation of players. She hopes her story will add to the momentum, driving more victories in upcoming tournaments such as the Champions Trophy and the World Cup.