Yash Dayal has finally spoken about his absence from the ongoing IPL 2026 season, challenging the explanation previously given by Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat. The left-arm pacer, who played a key role in RCB’s historic maiden IPL triumph in 2025, clarified that missing the tournament was not a decision made by him.
Speaking on the Talk with Manvendra podcast, the 28-year-old revealed that the call to stay away from IPL 2026 was made by the authorities rather than being his personal choice. Dayal also shared that watching RCB games from home has been emotionally difficult, saying he deeply misses the team environment and the dressing room camaraderie.
“Of course, it’s difficult when you’re sitting out. Sometimes while watching the matches on television, I feel restless and get up. But at the end of the day, it is still my team. They haven’t let me go, kept me in the retained squad, and didn’t bring in a replacement. That makes me believe they still see me as an important part of the setup,” Dayal said.
“The other thing is that my opting out of this season wasn’t my personal decision. The statement could be controversial, but the decision is always made by the authority. I don’t know what was the reason was behind RCB’s decision. I miss them a lot. I don’t know if the team misses me, the fans will say that,” Dayal added.
What RCB Had Said on Yash Dayal
Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, RCB Director of Cricket Mo Bobat confirmed that Yash Dayal would not feature in the tournament. While calling it a personal matter, Bobat stressed that Royal Challengers Bengaluru stood firmly behind the left-arm pacer. He also underlined that the franchise had retained Dayal and continued to support him, with the bowler remaining under contract with the Bengaluru outfit despite his absence. Bobat confirmed that Yash Dayal would not be joining the squad, citing the pacer’s ongoing personal situation. He emphasised that Royal Challengers Bengaluru had extended full support to Dayal and highlighted that the franchise chose to retain him when given the option. Bobat further clarified that Dayal remains under contract with RCB and will continue to be associated with the team in the near future.
Dayal, meanwhile, said he remains in regular contact with senior members of the setup, including batting coach Dinesh Karthik, stressing that there has been no communication gap with the franchise.
“I have been in conversations with the management. I have spoken to the director, and with the coach too, and also Dinesh Karthik. We communicate in intervals, and the connection hasn’t broken. There is no communication gap. Everything is clear and sorted,” Dayal said.
YASH DAYAL FACES SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS
Yash Dayal is currently under legal scrutiny following separate allegations of sexual assault and exploitation in cases filed in Jaipur and Ghaziabad. One of the complaints, lodged under the POCSO Act in Jaipur, accuses the pacer of sexually exploiting a minor over an extended period on the promise of supporting her cricket career. The complainant has also alleged emotional manipulation and intimidation.
The allegations are under legal investigation, and no court verdict has been delivered in the matter so far.
In a separate case registered in Ghaziabad, Dayal has been accused of sexual exploitation on the promise of marriage. On December 24, 2025, a special POCSO court in Jaipur dismissed his anticipatory bail plea, citing the gravity of the allegations and stressing the need for caution in cases involving minors.
Dayal’s legal counsel has denied the accusations, describing the relationship as consensual. However, prosecutors maintained that consent holds no legal relevance in cases involving minors and argued that prima facie evidence backs the complaint.