Yastika Bhatia criticised after run-out ends Charli Knott century in WBBL clash
Yastika Bhatia was criticised after a run-out mix-up with Charli Knott during Brisbane Heat's Women's Big Bash League clash against Adelaide Strikers at Drummoyne Oval in Sydney on Thursday, November 5. The communication breakdown ended Knott's innings and drew sharp reaction from commentators.
Charli Knott produced her maiden WBBL century, scoring 104 off just 61 deliveries with 12 boundaries and four sixes as Brisbane posted 184 for 4 in 20 overs. The dismissal occurred in the 18th over when Knott struck the ball to the off side and there was an opportunity to turn a single into two runs.
After the ball was hit to the off side, Knott went for the second run but Bhatia appeared slow to respond and was not fully committed to running, allowing the fielding side to complete the run-out. The hesitation ended Knott's stay at the crease despite the batter having pushed the scoring rate dramatically in the latter part of her innings.
One of the commentators reacted strongly to the sequence, saying: "Oh man, this is absolutely criminal from Brisbane Heat and Yastika Bhatia, who was ball-watching. We were watching it unfold live, and Charli Knott could have easily made two runs. As the ball flew over the off side, Bhatia was merely jogging towards the other end. But let's take a moment to first celebrate what has been an absolute masterclass from Charli Knott," the commentator said. "Absolutely criminal!"
Bhatia finished the innings with 16 off 18 deliveries, striking just one four at a strike rate of 88.88. Knott had reached her half-century off 37 deliveries before taking 19 more balls to complete her hundred.
Brisbane Heat ultimately won the match by 14 runs, a result that ended their 706-day wait for a WBBL victory. The run-out controversy came at a particularly frustrating moment given Knott's maiden hundred and the timing of the dismissal.
Bhatia's difficulties in the early WBBL fixtures had already been noted: on November 1 against Sydney Thunder she scored one run off three deliveries before being caught and bowled by Georgia Voll in a match Brisbane lost by six wickets despite posting 178 for 5. In international cricket, in the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Vadodara on October 28 she was dismissed for a golden duck, falling to Nomvelo Sibanda off the very first delivery she faced in a game India won by eight wickets.
With the WBBL season still in its early stages, Bhatia will be keen to put the disappointing start behind her and make more substantial contributions for Brisbane Heat.