IPL 2026: Why is Yash Dayal not playing for Bengaluru? RCB pacer faces POCSO; check what he's accused of

On 24 March, Mo Bobat confirmed that Yash Dayal won’t be a part of the Royal Challengers Benguluru squad in IPL 2026. The RCB director of cricket said that Bengaluru had been “very supportive of Yash to date”. Now, why is Yash Dayal not playing?

Yash Dayal has serious ongoing legal cases against him. He faces two separate cases. The first is a POCSO case filed in Jaipur by a minor. She claims to be an aspiring cricketer.

The accuser alleges that Dayal has been sexually assaulting her since 2023 while pretending to help her cricket career. A Jaipur special court rejected Dayal’s anticipatory bail plea in December 2025.

Another case was registered in Ghaziabad in July 2025, where a woman accused him of sexual and financial exploitation. She alleges that their five-year relationship was based on a false promise of marriage. The Allahabad High Court granted him interim protection from arrest in this matter.

Then, Yash Dayal approached the Rajasthan High Court. Later, on 23 January, he was given interim relief by a single bench of Justice Ganesh Ram Meena.

Dayal has denied all allegations. His legal team has described both cases as coordinated attempts to blackmail him. He has not played competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 final. He was also banned from the Uttar Pradesh T20 League.

Where is Yash Dayal?

Yash Dayal has been absent from Royal Challengers Bengaluru's pre-season camp. He has not been seen with the RCB squad.

Amid the ongoing legal issues, the left-arm pacer got married to content creator Shweta Pundir on 4 February.

Some media publications cited his wife’s Instagram Stories over the weekend. He was seen training alone at an undisclosed location.

Before the official announcement on 24 March, multiple RCB officials did not respond to The Times of India when contacted for an update on Dayal. The BCCI Centre of Excellence reached out to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) in September to check on the pacer, according to the publication. But, officials were unable to make contact.

Yash Dayal, meanwhile, remains active on social media. He has recently posted his fitness videos on Instagram.

A UPCA official told TOI that Dayal had not been considered for selection due to the ongoing legal cases. The official added that Dayal had changed his phone number. Even his childhood coach had no information about his current whereabouts, the official added.

Who is Yash Dayal's replacement in RCB?

RCB retained Dayal for ₹5 crore ahead of IPL 2026. Despite confirming he will not play this season, the franchise says it remains in regular contact with him. Bengaluru continue to offer support during the ongoing legal proceedings.

Since Dayal is still under contract, Bengaluru cannot sign a replacement. That leaves a gap in their squad.

His absence, combined with Josh Hazlewood's injury, has put significant pressure on their pace attack. They will now rely heavily on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam and Nuwan Thushara.