Yash Dayal [Source: AFP]Yash Dayal is expected to make his return to competitive cricket later this year. The fast bowler has been included in the Uttar Pradesh squad for the upcoming training camp.The training camp will be taking place at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow from September 25 onwards. The primary focus of the camp is to get Uttar Pradesh into cricketing groove before the upcoming BCCI domestic season, which includes the prestigious Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season.Yash Dayal to play for Uttar Pradesh again after attempted domestic switchThe Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) seems to have lived up to its promise for fast bowler Yash Dayal. The association recently named the speedster for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2026-27 training camp in Lucknow. UPCA Chief Executive Officer Ankit Chatterjee also confirmed that Dayal will be available for Uttar Pradesh playing selection this year. Also Read- Indian Cricketers Who Have Been Booked In Criminal Cases Linked To Women In Last 5 YearsWhile speaking with the TOI, Chatterjee said “Yash Dayal is available for selection this year. He has given the trials and has done well in the practice matches. He will be included in the Ranji Trophy camp.”A couple of months ago, the 28-year-old was aiming to switch to the Chhattisgarh cricket team for this year’s 2026-27 domestic season in the country. He even sought an NoC from the UPCA. However, the association later gave him an assurance to play for Uttar Pradesh again.Why is Dayal’s return to Uttar Pradesh a significant moment for him?It is worth noting that Yash Dayal has spent a major part of the last one year battling a legal case. He has been charged with two counts of rape, and its aftermath even prompted him to miss the IPL 2026 season for the RCB franchise earlier this year.The allegations involve two separate cases, with Dayal accused of rape in one case and of allegedly raping a minor in another, with the latter case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. An FIR was also filed against him under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.In the midst of legal battles, the cricketer launched a hopeful bid of rebooting his career by switching from Uttar Pradesh to Chhattisgarh, before the UPCA assured him of his selection. When did Yash Dayal last play competitive cricket?Yash Dayal has not played a single competitive game of cricket since the conclusion of the IPL 2025 season last year in June. Shortly after his tight spell in the final compounded in RCB’s historic title victory, the cricketer got entangled in the sexual assault case.Apart from missing the IPL 2026 season for the RCB franchise, the fast bowler was also not selected in the 18-player Gorakhpur Lions squad for the 2026 UP T20 League, despite getting retained by them. When approached to explain his sudden exclusion from the tournament, the UPCA officials declined to comment.As of now, it remains to be seen if Yash Dayal can make the most of his second coming and successfully revive his competitive cricket career.Also Read- India 200 T20I Wins List: Record Against Each Team
