IPL 2026 Yash Dayal out: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, have suffered another blow to their bowling attack, with left-arm pacer Yash Dayal ruled out for the entire tournament on Tuesday due to an ongoing ‘personal situation’ linked to grave legal proceedings. The franchise confirmed the development a few hours ago, saying that Dayal would not be joining the squad as his involvement in two alleged criminal cases has made his participation untenable. 

[caption id="attachment_1572" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Yash Dayal[/caption]

RCB’s bowling department close to being shattered

With Dayal’s absence, RCB’s concerns have risen in the bowling department. The defending champions are already uncertain about the availability of Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood, who is on the path to recovery from hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries.  Notably, Hazlewood played a pivotal role in RCB’s triumphant 2025 campaign and ended up clinching 22 wickets. His potential absence, coupled with Dayal’s unavailability, has left the side short of experienced pace options, four days before the 2026 edition begins. RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat made the confirmation, saying that the franchise is constantly extending support to Dayal, who remains under contract despite his absence. 

IPL 2026 Yash Dayal out: RCB’s retained core disrupted

It is noteworthy that Dayal was among the three players retained by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, alongside cricket stalwarts such as Virat Kohli and captain Rajat Patidar. Dayal had been acquired for Rs 5 crore in 2024, and played a crucial role in the team’s title-winning run. He picked up 13 wickets last season after a 15-wicket debut campaign.  [caption id="attachment_1573" align="alignnone" width="1200"] RCB team[/caption] His sudden exit has disrupted the continuity RCB had sought to maintain in their core squad. 

Two criminal cases registered against Dayal

Dayal’s ‘personal situation’ refers to two separate criminal cases registered against him in  2025. In one case in Jaipur, he was booked under the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following allegations by a 17-year-old female cricketer, who accused him of prolonged sexual exploitation. Another case surfaced against him from Ghaziabad, where a woman accused him of violating her on the pretext of marriage for five years under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. However, the Allahabad High Court (HC) granted him an interim relief from arrest.

Crucial test for RCB 

As RCB buckle up to defend their maiden IPL title, uncertainty looms around the availability of key bowlers, which has placed early pressure on the squad management. With both Hazlewood and Dayal unavailable or doubtful, the franchise is undergoing a crucial test in reshaping its bowling attack before the tournament kicks off.  Also read: IPL 2026: Woes mount for KKR as Akash Deep bows out of tournament after Harshit Rana’s exit