NEW DELHI: Left-arm quick Yash Dayal has broken his silence over why he has been absent from Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 campaign. The pacer insisted he is still considered part of the squad, despite missing the entire season and disappearing from training and promotional activity.
Quick facts
- Yash Dayal said he remains with Royal Challengers Bengaluru even though he missed IPL 2026.
- He denied making a personal choice to opt out of the season.
- Dayal added that communication with the franchise has continued regularly.
- He referenced ongoing contact with the management and Dinesh Karthik.
- RCB, currently in the IPL 2026 playoffs, are set to play Gujarat Titans on Tuesday.
Speaking on the Talk with Manvendra podcast, Dayal addressed the speculation that he had been left out. He said the franchise had not removed him and that no replacement announcement had been made, suggesting the team still views him as part of its plans.
“They haven’t removed me from the team, and they haven’t even announced a replacement because maybe they still see me as part of the squad. It wasn’t my personal decision to opt out of this season. The statement may become controversial, but decisions are always taken by the authorities,” Dayal said, adding that he misses being involved. “I miss it a lot and feel like I should be there.”
Dayal also claimed that the relationship with the franchise has not gone cold. He said contact with the management remains active, with the two sides speaking back and forth depending on the schedule.
“There is communication with the management. Sometimes they call me, sometimes I call them. I speak with the director, and I also stay in touch with DK (Dinesh Karthik) bhaiya,” he added.
Background and off-field developments
Dayal’s name has been in the spotlight for reasons beyond match fitness. After strong involvement in RCB’s bowling setup across the previous two IPL seasons, he reportedly faced difficulties being reached for months, with reports stating the BCCI Centre of Excellence and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association struggled to contact him.
On top of that, the pacer has also been drawn into legal matters. Allegations of exploitation and a separate case involving POCSO have been reported, adding to the uncertainty around his immediate future.
Despite the questions hanging over his situation, RCB have retained Dayal under contract. The franchise continues its IPL 2026 playoff run and is scheduled to take on Gujarat Titans on Tuesday.
