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Emerging fast bowler Yash Dayal is all set to make his return to competitive cricket after missing out on any form of competitive matches for the last 16 months. Because of the controversies surrounding him and an ongoing investigation, at the very last moment, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru, through a statement, mentioned that Dayal would not be a part of the squad for the IPL 2026 season.
He was considered one of the most promising young fast bowlers, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, a couple of years ago. But his professional cricket career got a massive hit when an FIR was filed against him, alleging him of sexual exploitation and cheating under a false promise of marriage during a five-year relationship.
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association confirms the return of Yash Dayal
After the allegations and the legal process, the emerging pacer was sidelined from professional cricket. Ahead of the upcoming season of the Ranji Trophy, it is reported that Dayal is all set to be back on track again.
On September 22, the Times of India, in its report, claimed that Dayal has been included in the state's Ranji Trophy camp. CEO of the cricket governing body of Uttar Pradesh confirmed the availability of the seamer ahead of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season. The CEO mentioned that Yash Dayal will be in their Ranji Trophy camp.
"Yash Dayal is available for selection this year. He has given the trials and has done well in the practice matches. He will be included in the Ranji Trophy camp,” Ankit Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), told the media house.
Yash Dayal could play in the Ranji Trophy
The media reports further mentioned that the Ranji camp will be held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from Friday (September 25). If things go in favour of the pacer, then Dayal will be there alongside the other Uttar Pradesh cricketers for preparations.
Previously, to get back into mainstream Indian cricket, he sought permission from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association to provide him with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) so that he could shift his base from Uttar Pradesh to Chhattisgarh for the 2026-27 domestic season.
Yash Dayal's future with RCB in jeopardy
When he was set to change his state cricket team, UPCA assured him that he would get the chance to play for Uttar Pradesh again. As per the assurance provided by the state cricket board, Dayal is all set to join the camp for the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season.
However, his future with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru remains in doubt, as without the bowler's services, RCB defended their title successfully in the IPL 2026 season. But in the 2025 season, when RCB claimed their maiden IPL trophy, Dayal played a major role for them, taking 13 wickets that season. The bowling combination of Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Josh Hazlewood proved fruitful for the franchise.
