Sushma Verma Replaces Yastika Bhatia at TKR Ahead of WCPL Knockouts

India wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma has joined Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) as a replacement for Yastika Bhatia, who has left the 2026 Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) to join India A for their upcoming series against Australia A.

Bhatia, currently the second-highest run-scorer in WCPL 2026, will return to India ahead of the three-match one-day series against Australia A, which begins on September 20. She will captain India A in the ODI series and will also feature in the four-day match that follows.

For Sushma Verma, the move represents a return to top-level competitive cricket. The 31-year-old last featured in India's squad during the T20I tri-series in South Africa in 2023, although she did not get an opportunity to play.

Verma's only previous franchise experience came in the inaugural Women's Premier League season in 2023, when she represented Gujarat Giants. She scored 42 runs across five innings at a strike rate of 79.24.

The wicketkeeper-batter has recently focused on improving her power-hitting. Her progress was evident during the 2025-26 domestic one-day tournament, where she struck nine sixes in six innings — the third-highest tally in the competition.

"It's special to be part of the WCPL and I am grateful to the Knight Riders set-up for this opportunity," Verma told ESPNcricinfo. "I feel it is the fruit of the hard work I have put into my T20 game."

Verma becomes the sixth Indian player to feature in WCPL 2026. Alongside her and Bhatia, Shikha Pandey is part of TKR, while Kiran Navgire, Pooja Vastrakar and Harleen Deol represent Barbados Tridents.

TKR have already booked their place in the WCPL final after finishing at the top of the four-team league stage. The second finalist will be decided in the playoff between Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors.

The WCPL 2026 final is scheduled to be played in Bridgetown on September 17.