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Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal will not join the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, confirmed the franchise's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat in a pre-tournament press conference.
“Spoke to him earlier today; but decided it's not in his and franchise's best interest to join the squad due to the personal situation he's dealing with,” Bobat told the media in Bengaluru.
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"Yash Dayal situation was tricky. We went into auction planning in a worst-case scenario that he won't be available," he added.
Bobat confirmed that Dayal has not been released from the squad. It also indicates that the franchise is yet to look for his replacement for the upcoming season.
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Why Dayal will not play IPL 2026?
The 28-year-old pacer had earlier been prohibited from playing in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UPT20) for Gorakhpur Lions. He is facing sexual exploitation charges in Ghaziabad, under the pretext of marriage. In another case, he is accused of raping a minor in Jaipur.
Dayal's number in RCB's IPL 2025-winning season
Dayal was roped in for Rs 5 crore by RCB. He has played two seasons for them. In IPL 2025, he was vital to their maiden title-winning campaign. The Uttar Pradesh pacer claimed 13 wickets from 15 games at an average of 36.15.
RCB's full squad for IPL 2026
Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal (unavailable), Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jordan Cox, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Duffy, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Phil Salt, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra.
RCB's fast-bowling stocks depleted
RCB's fast-bowling lineup does not look strong with Josh Hazlewood injured and Nuwan Thushara yet to get clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). RCB will rely on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Dar, local talent and their new recruit, Jacob Duffy in the fast-bowling department.
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