Bengaluru: In a significant development ahead of IPL 2026, Yash Dayal will not be part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad, the franchise confirmed on March 24. The decision, described as being due to a “personal matter,” was announced by RCB’s director of cricket Mo Bobat during a pre-tournament press conference.
Despite his absence, the franchise clarified that the left-arm pacer remains under contract and continues to have the team’s full support during this period.
Franchise backs Dayal amid personal situation
Speaking to the media, Bobat emphasised that the decision was taken keeping both the player’s well-being and the team’s interests in mind. He reiterated that RCB had shown faith in Dayal by retaining him ahead of the season.
“We’ve been very supportive of Yash. That’s reflected in the fact that we retained him when we had the opportunity. He remains under contract, and we are in regular communication with him,” Bobat said.
The management has decided that it would not be appropriate for Dayal to join the squad at this stage. However, officials confirmed that he continues to be an integral part of the franchise’s long-term plans.
Hazlewood also unavailable at start
RCB will also begin their IPL 2026 campaign without key Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is currently recovering from injuries. Hazlewood has been sidelined due to hamstring and Achilles issues, which also forced him to miss major international assignments, including the The Ashes and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Bobat stated that the franchise is working closely with Cricket Australia to monitor the pacer’s rehabilitation programme.
“He is currently undergoing a return-to-play programme in Australia. Our medical team is in constant touch with Cricket Australia, and we hope he will join us soon once he is cleared,” he said.
Domestic bowlers get opportunity
The absence of Dayal presents an opportunity for domestic bowlers in the squad to step up. Bobat highlighted players such as Rasikh Salam, Mangesh Yadav, and Abhinandan Singh as strong options.
RCB had anticipated the possibility of Dayal’s unavailability during their auction planning and accordingly strengthened their pace attack with backup options.
“We planned for a worst-case scenario and recruited accordingly. We have some excellent domestic fast bowlers who are ready to step in,” Bobat noted.
Team confident despite setbacks
While acknowledging that Dayal’s absence is a setback given his contributions in recent seasons, the RCB management expressed confidence in the squad’s depth and balance.
The team is expected to assess combinations based on available players and conditions as the tournament progresses. With a mix of experienced international players and promising domestic talent, RCB aims to remain competitive despite early challenges.
Conclusion
The absence of Yash Dayal and delayed availability of Josh Hazlewood pose initial hurdles for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. However, with strong bench strength and strategic planning, the franchise appears prepared to adapt and move forward while continuing to support its players.