Just days before IPL 2026 gets underway, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been hit with a major setback. Their left-arm pacer Yash Dayal will not be part of the squad this season, a development that has raised plenty of questions among fans.
Putting an end to all speculation, RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat confirmed the news during a pre-tournament press conference. While Dayal remains contracted to the franchise, he won’t be available for the upcoming campaign due to personal reasons.
Official confirmation about Yash Dayal from the RCB camp
Addressing the situation, Bobat made it clear that the franchise has stood by Dayal throughout and continues to support him. However, both parties have agreed that stepping away from the tournament is the right decision for now.
“Yash will not be joining the squad, as you know, he is going through a personal situation currently,” Bobat said. “Just to clarify, we have been very supportive of Yash to date, and that’s reflected in the fact that we have retained him whenever we have had the opportunity to retain him. And he remains under contract.”
He further added, “We have been communicating with him regularly, and I spoke with him earlier today as well. But it has been decided that it is not in his or franchise’s best interest at this point in time to join with the squad.”
Bobat also revealed that RCB had already prepared for such a scenario while planning their squad. “We went into our auction planning for the worst-case scenario,” he said.
Dayal’s absence is a significant blow for the team, especially considering his contribution in their title-winning IPL 2025 campaign. The left-arm seamer picked up 13 wickets and brought balance to the bowling unit with his ability to swing the ball and deliver in crunch moments.
While the franchise has chosen not to go into details, describing it as a “personal situation,” the backdrop involves serious legal challenges faced by Dayal. Reports suggest he is currently dealing with multiple cases, including one in Ghaziabad related to allegations of exploitation under the pretext of marriage.
Another case, filed in Jaipur under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, is even more serious, involving allegations from a minor. In December 2025, a special POCSO court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, citing the gravity of the case and ongoing investigation.
These developments have already kept him away from competitive cricket for a while. He missed the UP T20 League and hasn’t featured in any match since the IPL 2025 final. There have also been reports suggesting that state authorities struggled to reach him for selection discussions.
A ripple effect in RCB’s bowling plans
For RCB, this situation creates a ripple effect in their bowling plans. Dayal’s absence leaves a gap in the pace attack, especially with Australian quick Josh Hazlewood also expected to miss the early part of the tournament due to injury concerns.
The team will now rely heavily on experienced names like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with young Indian pacers such as Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh and Mangesh Yadav. Their overseas options include Jacob Duffy, Nuwan Thushara and all-rounder Romario Shepherd.
Adding to the challenge, RCB cannot bring in a replacement for Dayal since he is still officially under contract. This limits their flexibility and puts more pressure on the available bowlers to step up.
As the team gears up to begin their title defence on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, all eyes will be on how they manage this unexpected setback. While the squad still has depth, losing a proven performer like Dayal just before the season is far from ideal.
