IPL 2026: RCB Kicks Off Season Amid Yash Dayal Controversy

The IPL 2026 season is set to begin with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, the absence of fast bowler Yash Dayal, who is facing serious allegations, has drawn significant attention. His last competitive match was in the IPL 2025 final, and since then, he has been largely unreachable. The article delves into the allegations against him, including serious criminal charges under the POCSO Act, and the impact of these issues on his cricketing career. Read on to learn more about the unfolding situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 21, 2026, 10:30 IST

RCB Prepares for IPL 2026 Opener

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is set to commence on March 28 (Saturday), with the reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on the opening day. RCB has already started their training sessions on March 20 (Friday), with most of the squad, including nearly all Indian players, participating. Notably, Virat Kohli was also present during the practice. However, the absence of fast bowler Yash Dayal raised eyebrows, particularly as his image was missing from the team bus's graffiti. This absence is significant, especially considering the serious allegations of physical abuse he faced last year.

Yash Dayal's last appearance in competitive cricket was during the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Since the allegations surfaced, he has not participated in any matches and was even omitted from the Uttar Pradesh team for the domestic season due to ongoing legal issues. Reports indicate that he has been largely unreachable, with neither the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), the BCCI Centre of Excellence, nor his childhood coach able to contact him. An official from UPCA mentioned, “The case against him was ongoing, so he wasn’t considered for selection. There was an inquiry from CoE in September, but we couldn’t reach Yash Dayal. He has changed his number, and even his childhood coach is unaware of his current location.”

In a recent Instagram story, Dayal's wife, Shweta Pundir, shared a video of him practicing in the nets, although it was confirmed that this was not in Bengaluru.

Understanding the Allegations Against Yash Dayal

Yash Dayal is currently embroiled in two serious criminal cases, one of which falls under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A complaint was lodged by a girl from Jaipur at the Sanganer Sadar police station, alleging that Dayal had sexually abused her over an extended period while promising to assist her in her cricket career. The complaint details that Dayal portrayed himself as a prominent cricketer, emotionally manipulated her, and assured her of future support and opportunities in the sport. The allegations state that these incidents occurred when the girl was still a minor, and she reported feeling threatened and that efforts were made to sever her communication with others.