यश दयाल IPL 2026 से बाहर, RCB डायरेक्टर मो बोबाट ने की पुष्टि
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have received a major blow ahead of IPL 2026 with the confirmation that left-arm pacer Yash Dayal will not feature in the upcoming season. RCB's Director of Cricket Mo Bobat addressed the matter directly ahead of the defending champions' season opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
"He's going through a personal situation. He remains under contract. It was decided in his best interest," Bobat told reporters, bringing clarity to weeks of speculation surrounding the 26-year-old's availability.
Dayal was one of only three players retained by RCB ahead of the IPL 2026 mega auction. The franchise held onto him for ₹5 crore despite significant public backlash owing to ongoing legal cases against him — a decision that was criticised at the time but reflected the team's faith in his cricketing ability. He was a pivotal figure in RCB's historic maiden IPL title win in 2025, contributing crucial wickets throughout the tournament including in the final against Punjab Kings — the last competitive match he played.
Since that victory in June 2025, Dayal's life off the field has been turbulent. An FIR was filed against him by a woman from Ghaziabad alleging sexual exploitation on the pretext of marriage. A separate, more serious FIR was subsequently registered in Jaipur involving POCSO charges. In August 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association suspended him from the UP T20 League. Uttar Pradesh did not consider him for any domestic fixtures during the entire 2025–26 season. In January 2026, the Rajasthan High Court granted interim protection from arrest in the Jaipur case, though legal proceedings in both matters remain ongoing.
Dayal's absence was visible well before Bobat's confirmation. He was not present on the first day of RCB's pre-season camp on March 18 and was reportedly missing from the team bus graffiti and official promotional materials. The Times of India reported that UPCA officials and even Dayal's childhood coach had been unable to reach him, as he had reportedly changed his contact number.
RCB had anticipated this scenario. Prior to the auction, Bobat identified an Indian left-arm pacer as the top priority, noting Yash Dayal's availability as a concern. The franchise signed Mangesh Yadav for ₹5.20 crore as a direct replacement option. Rasikh Dar and Abhinandan Singh also remain available in the pace department.
RCB begin their title defence on March 28 against SRH, navigating Dayal's absence alongside Josh Hazlewood's unavailability for initial matches.
