Yash Dayal breaks silence on RCB snub [Source: AFP]For the first time since the start of the IPL in 2008, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru side managed to get their hands on the trophy, last campaign, when they defeated the Punjab Kings to clinch their maiden championship. The entire squad was jubilant, and the side had a massive celebration, but that happiness was cut short due to a major controversy.Yash Dayal, one of their key players who was important in their IPL-winning campaign, was accused of sexual misconduct. Both the player and the franchise faced strong criticism for keeping him in the squad for the next IPL season.The backlash was so strong that RCB decided not to release him from the team, but they didn’t allow him to be a part of their IPL squad for the 2026 campaign.The Yash Dayal controversy that rocked the IPLIn 2025, a major controversy erupted as Dayal was facing two severe legal cases involving sexual exploitation and the rape of a minor. In July 2025, a woman filed an FIR against him in Ghaziabad, accusing the player of sexually, mentally, and financially exploiting her.He was also booked under Minor and POCSO Charges, and shortly, a second FIR was registered against Dayal in Jaipur. She alleged that Dayal assaulted her in 2023, and in December 2025, the Jaipur special POCSO Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.As a result, the RCB franchise decided not to be associated with him, and he was not included in the squad for the ongoing season.Also Read: Yash Dayal’s IPL 2026 Participation Status Revealed: Full Controversy ExplainedYash Dayal breaks silence on his RCB exclusionYash Dayal, who had been left out of the IPL 2026 spotlight, has finally spoken about RCB’s decision not to include him in the main squad.He stated that he is happy that the franchise didn’t release him from the squad, and he feels happy that RCB still considers him an integral part of the team.Sam @cricsam02 🔴 YASH DAYAL 1ST TIME SPEAK ON MISSING OUT RCB SQUAD THIS SEASON🤯 He said🎙️- He misses being with RCB and feels the team is lacking a proper third bowling option. He revealed that missing this season was not his personal decision and added that RCB still showed faith in him May 24, 2026, 9:35 PM "That's my team, and the main thing is that they didn't remove me from the team. They retained me and didn't announce my replacement as well. They think that I am an important part of the team. It wasn't my personal decision to opt out of the season. The decision was taken by the authorities, so I don't know why RCB didn't play me. But now I don't want to talk about this controversy anymore."Yash Dayal's IPL journey at a glancePlaying in the IPL since the 2022 season, Dayal faced a major setback in 2023, when Rinku Singh smashed him for five consecutive sixes to seal the game in the GT Vs KKR clash.His IPL career looked over, but in the next auction , RCB took a punt and they drafted him into their squad. The pacer immediately repaid the faith by picking up 15 wickets in 14 games, and helped the team to qualify for the playoffs.In RCB’s title-winning season, Dayal, the left-arm pacer, scalped 13 wickets and played a huge part in RCB’s success. However, he was not included in the IPL 2026 squad as Dayal has still not been given the clean chit.ConclusionRCB did the right thing by not associating with the player, who is still under trial, and has not been given a clean chit. The franchise knew that they would face scrutiny by playing Dayal in the IPL 2026 season, and hence, they kept him away from the squad.However, if Dayal comes out innocent, the RCB team must draft him back into the team with open arms.Also Read: Who Is Jess Head? Cricketer’s Wife Faces Abuse After Virat Kohli-Travis Head Fight
