Yash Dayal Withdraws from IPL 2026 Amid Personal Issues: RCB
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Bengaluru, March 24 (NationPress) In a significant setback for the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced on Tuesday that fast bowler Yash Dayal will be absent for the entirety of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to personal circumstances.
Concerns about Dayal's participation had already arisen following his absence from training sessions and the team bus poster, prompting speculation regarding his situation. RCB's director of cricket, Mo Bobat, has since addressed these uncertainties.
Bobat reassured that despite Dayal's non-participation in the tournament, he will remain under contract, with the team management continuing to provide support during this challenging time.
“To confirm, Yash will not be joining the squad. He is currently facing a personal matter, and we have been very supportive of him, which is evident in our decision to retain him when we had the chance to either keep or release players,” Bobat stated during a press briefing.
“We were eager to keep him, and he stays under contract. We are in ongoing communication with him, having spoken earlier today, but it’s been decided that it’s not in his best interest or ours for him to join us right now,” he added.
Dayal recently celebrated his marriage to social media influencer Shweta Pundir in a private ceremony, but he has also been embroiled in significant controversies. He was denied anticipatory bail months ago related to allegations of raping a minor.
The controversy first emerged in July 2025 when he faced a lawsuit for allegedly exploiting a woman under the pretense of marriage. A subsequent case under the POSCO Act surfaced in Jaipur.
Meanwhile, RCB is set to commence their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.