Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have started their IPL 2026 pre-season camp from February 10, and the absence of their left-arm pacer Yash Dayal caught everyone’s attention. RCB had retained Yash Dayal for ₹5 crore last year, but his place in the squad is currently highly doubtful.
Yash Dayal missing as RCB begin IPL 2026 camp
Mo Bobat, Director of Cricket at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Head Coach Andy Flower, and Mentor Dinesh Karthik have been overseeing the team’s pre-season camp. Mostly domestic players are taking part in the camp, but Dayal was not seen anywhere.
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The defending champions have shared multiple pictures on social media from their pre-season camp on their social media handles, but the Uttar Pradesh fast bowler was not seen in either of them. Now, a fan page of the RCB revealed that Dayal was not invited to this camp.
No Yash Dayal in RCB pre season camp for IPL 2026 ❌ pic.twitter.com/W5VCasBSrl
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) February 10, 2026
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 10, 2026
Serious legal cases put Dayal’s career on hold
Dayal is currently dealing with serious legal cases, and that has put his career on hold. He is involved in two separate criminal cases with major allegations. One case involves a woman who has accused him of cheating her emotionally and financially during a long relationship of around five years.
That woman has claimed that the RCB bowler promised to marry her but did not keep his word. A case was registered under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. However, the Allahabad High Court stayed his arrest by saying there were doubts about how reliable the complaint was.
There is another serious case in Jaipur. A 17-year-old girl has accused Dayal of sexual assault between 2023 and 2024. She has alleged that he misled her by offering help in her cricket journey. Because the complaint involves a minor, charges have been filed under the POCSO Act.
However, the Rajasthan High Court granted Dayal anticipatory bail in the Jaipur case last month. Presently, both cases are still active, and the investigations are ongoing.
Ban from UP League, RCB eye replacements
Given that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) had already banned him from playing in the UP T20 League. He has not played any professional match since RCB lifted the IPL trophy last year.
With so much uncertainty, RCB is reportedly exploring other options. The team management is reportedly thinking about bringing in experienced pacer Umesh Yadav in case Dayal is unavailable for the IPL 2026.
They have also added fast bowler Mangesh Yadav to their side as a backup. Now, Dayal’s absence from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp has increased the doubts over his availability for the next season due to the ongoing investigation in UP and Rajasthan.
Dayal’s career in numbers
Speaking about his career, Dayal scalped 41 wickets in 43 matches, with his best performance being 3 wickets for 20 runs. In T20 cricket, he has 66 wickets in 71 games to his name. In first-class matches, Dayal took 84 wickets at an average of 28.79. The fast bowler has also taken 36 wickets in 23 List A games.
