Royal Challengers Bengaluru's preparations for the Indian Premier League 2026 have hit another significant roadblock as left-arm pacer Yash Dayal has been ruled out of the entire season. The franchise confirmed the development on Tuesday, citing a "personal situation", with the Uttar Pradesh seamer's legal proceedings related to alleged sexual assault believed to have made his participation untenable.
The controversial pacer's absence adds to what is shaping into a bowling crisis for the defending champions, who will start the season without Josh Hazlewood, who took 22 wickets in their IPL 2025 title-winning campaign.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, RCB's director of cricket Mo Bobat said, "So, just to confirm that Yash will not be joining up with the squad. As you know, he is going through a personal situation currently, and just to clarify, we've been very supportive of Yash to date and that's reflected in the fact that we retained him when we had the opportunity to either retain or release players.
"We wanted to retain him, and he remains under contract and will continue in the short term to remain under contract," he added.
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Dayal was one of only three players retained by RCB ahead of the 2025 auction along with Virat Kohli and captain Rajat Patildar. The left-arm pacer was bought for Rs 5 crore by RCB in the 2024 auction. He picked up 15 wickets in his first season and 13 wickets during RCB's maiden run to the title last year.
Dayal's absence means RCB will start the season without two of their leading pacers with Hazlewood's participation still uncertain. The Aussie quick who led the bowling charts for RCB last season with 22 wickets is currently recovering from a hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries.
"We are in close contact with both Josh and Cricket Australia, with our medical teams coordinating daily on his progress. Once Cricket Australia is satisfied with his recovery, he will join us, and we hope to have him with the squad soon,” Bobat said.
Serious Legal Allegations Under Scrutiny
The “personal situation” relates to two separate criminal cases filed against Dayal in 2025.
In July, he was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in Jaipur following allegations by a 17-year-old female cricketer of sexual exploitation over a prolonged period under the pretext of cricket mentorship. The Rajasthan High Court has declined to stay his arrest, noting the gravity of the accusations.
In a separate case registered in Ghaziabad, a woman accused him of sexual exploitation on the promise of marriage over a five-year period under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. In this instance, Dayal has secured a stay on his arrest from the Allahabad High Court.
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