RCB pacer Yash Dayal will not feature in IPL 2026, the franchise confirmed on Tuesday through director of cricket Mo Bobat. The left-arm seamer’s absence comes amid ongoing legal cases involving serious allegations against the 27-year-old.
Bobat described the situation as a personal matter during the pre-tournament press conference and confirmed that Dayal remains under contract with RCB. The defending champions open their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
What Did RCB Say About Yash Dayal’s Absence
Bobat kept his comments brief and avoided going into specifics. He simply stated that Dayal is going through a personal situation, and the franchise decided his absence is in his best interest this season. Speculation around Dayal’s availability had already grown after fans noticed his absence from RCB’s official promotional material and team bus poster ahead of the new season.
What Legal Cases Does Yash Dayal Face
Dayal faces two separate legal cases involving serious allegations.
- A case registered in Ghaziabad accuses him of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage. The Allahabad High Court has granted him protection from arrest in this matter.
- A separate and more serious case filed in Jaipur falls under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The complaint alleges repeated sexual exploitation of a minor over a prolonged period. A special POCSO court in Jaipur denied his anticipatory bail plea on December 24, 2025. The presiding judge cited the seriousness of the charges and ruled that granting bail at this stage would be inappropriate.
Dayal has denied all allegations. His legal team has argued the relationship in question was consensual. However, the prosecution has maintained that consent holds no legal validity in cases involving minors.
Following the emergence of the second case, Dayal also missed the UP T20 League last year after organisers barred him from participating.
How Does Dayal’s Absence Impact RCB’s Squad
Dayal played a key role in RCB’s maiden title-winning campaign in IPL 2025, picking up 13 wickets across the season. His absence weakens the franchise’s pace bowling options heading into the new campaign.
RCB already face uncertainty over Josh Hazlewood’s fitness after hamstring and Achilles injuries kept the Australian out of the Ashes. Losing both left-arm and right-arm pace options puts additional pressure on the remaining bowling unit as the champions look to defend their crown.
