Yash Dayal for RCB - (Source: AFP)
In a significant development, RCB seamer Yash Dayal has been cleared of sexual harassment charges and granted the NOC to return to cricket. The 28-year-old had two FIRs against him, which are now squashed.
For the unversed, the first FIR against Yash Dayal was registered on July 6, where a woman accused him of sexually exploiting her under the pretence of marriage.
The second case, accessed by NDTV, was registered at Jaipur's Sanganer Police Station for allegedly raping a girl, leading to the registration of the case under the POCSO Act.
Yash Dayal Cleared To Play UPT20 League
The two cases led to no cricket for Yash Dayal in the past year. It started with his absence from the UPT20 League because the Uttar Pradesh State Association refused to grant him an NOC. It eventually boiled down to IPL 2026, where RCB took the diplomatic route.
RCB’s Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, has clarified that Dayal won’t be a part of this season due to a personal matter. However, Bobat also confirmed that the left-arm seamer will remain under contract with the franchise. Eventually, Dayal missed the entire IPL 2026.
Now, since he has been cleared to play the UPT20 League, Dayal’s IPL return is also possible. Therefore, this article will look at RCB’s strongest playing XI for IPL 2027 with Dayal’s return.
RCB’s Strongest Playing XI With Yash Dayal’s Return
Openers and Top-Order: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt will continue to open the innings. Phil Salt was injured for nearly half the tournament, but his presence on the field and ability to score quickfire runs are enough to retain his place at the top. Rest, Virat had a brilliant IPL 2026, as he amassed 675 runs in 16 innings, averaging 56.25.
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma Turn Rivals Before IND Vs IRE 1st T20I
Devdutt Padikkal has been the unsung hero for RCB in the last two seasons, and such was the case in IPL 2026 as well. The 25-year-old scored 464 runs in 15 innings, averaging 33.14.
Middle-Order: Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma
In the middle-order, RCB captain Rajat Patidar will bat at No.4. The 33-year-old scored 503 runs in 14 innings. Rest, Krunal Pandya will be the sole spinner in the team because Dayal will replace Suyash Sharma in the playing XI.
Tim David and Jitesh Sharma will headline the lower middle-order for RCB in IPL 2027. However, Romario Shepherd is unlikely to retain his place after Dayal’s return. The 31-year-old scored just 83 runs in 7 innings and picked up just 7 wickets in 13 innings.
Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Yash Dayal
Amid the bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Jacob Duffy will continue to play together despite Yash Dayal’s return. Rest, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the pace attack as he took 28 wickets in 16 innings. The trio will be joined by the left-arm seamer as the fourth bowling option.
Also, Rasikh Dar will come in as an impact sub, adding a fifth bowling option. The 26-year-old picked up 19 wickets in 12 innings.
RCB Strongest Playing XI For IPL 2027
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Yash Dayal
Impact Sub: Rasikh Dar
Also Read: AB de Villiers Announces Cricket's 3 Best Batters, Sachin Tendulkar OUT
