Is Yash Dayal playing IPL 2026 for RCB? Latest updates on Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler who is under scrutiny for a POCSO case.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have confirmed that pacer Yash Dayal will not be part of the squad for IPL 2026. RCB’s director of cricket Mo Bobat addressed the situation directly, stating that Dayal would not join the RCB squad for IPL 2026 while remaining under contract with the franchise.
“He’s going through a personal situation. He remains under contract,” Bobat said.
The confirmation ends weeks of speculation over Yash Dayal IPL 2026 availability. The left-arm seamer was part of RCB’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2025, but developments in the Yash Dayal case since July 2025 have made his participation untenable. Here is a complete breakdown of the latest Yash Dayal news, legal developments, and what it means for RCB’s IPL 2026 campaign.
(updated on March 24, 2026 with Mo Bobat comments on Yash Dayal)
Is Yash Dayal Playing IPL 2026?
No. Yash Dayal will not play IPL 2026.
RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat confirmed that Dayal will not join the squad this season due to an ongoing personal situation. He remains under contract with the franchise but will play no part in the upcoming campaign.
This means RCB will enter the season without one of their retained fast bowlers, adding further pressure on a pace department already dealing with Josh Hazlewood’s fitness concerns and questions around the bowling depth. RCB are not expected to seek a replacement for Dayal, as he has not been officially ruled out through injury — he simply will not be selected.
Is Yash Dayal In Jail Right Now?
No, Yash Dayal is not in jail at present.
In January 2026, the Rajasthan High Court granted him interim protection from arrest in connection with a rape case registered in Jaipur. The court directed him to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the investigating officer.
Earlier, a POCSO court had rejected his anticipatory bail plea in December 2025. However, the High Court’s interim order provided temporary relief. In a separate case in Ghaziabad, the Allahabad High Court had earlier issued a stay on his arrest.
As of the latest Yash Dayal news, he remains out of custody and continues to contest the allegations legally.
What Is The Yash Dayal POCSO Case?
The Yash Dayal POCSO case relates to allegations registered in Jaipur involving a minor.
According to reports, an FIR was filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The complaint alleged repeated sexual assault in 2023, when the survivor was reportedly under 18.
In December 2025, a special POCSO court denied anticipatory bail to the cricketer, citing the serious nature of the charges.
More details on is Yash Dayal in jail and the details of the POCSO case can be found here.
Earlier Ghaziabad Case Explained
Before the Jaipur matter surfaced, Yash Dayal was booked in July 2025 in a separate case in Ghaziabad.
In this Yash Dayal case, the Allahabad High Court granted a stay on his arrest. The investigation is ongoing, and Dayal has denied the allegations.
In August 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) banned Yash Dayal from participating in the UP T20 League.
He had been purchased for ₹7 lakh and was expected to represent the Gorakhpur Lions. However, following the emergence of sexual harassment and rape allegations, the association decided to bar him from the tournament.
- Read our complete breakdown of the Yash Dayal POCSO case and the timeline
RCB Squad Update — Yash Dayal Ruled Out of IPL 2026
Despite being retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026 at a reported value of ₹4 crore, Yash Dayal will not feature this season.
Mo Bobat’s confirmation means RCB’s pace attack for the title defence will rely on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Rasikh Salam, Mangesh Yadav, and Abhinandan Singh as the Indian and overseas seam options, with Josh Hazlewood’s return timeline still uncertain.
RCB had already been managing multiple availability concerns heading into the season — Hazlewood’s fitness, Romario Shepherd’s delayed arrival due to travel disruptions (since resolved), and now Dayal’s confirmed absence. The franchise chose not to release Dayal, keeping him under contract, which also means they cannot sign a direct replacement through the usual injured player replacement route. There are also Josh Hazlewood injury concerns that will trouble RCB.
Read complete RCB IPL 2026 squad analysis
What Happens Next For Yash Dayal?
The immediate future in the Yash Dayal news cycle depends on court proceedings in both the Jaipur and Ghaziabad matters.
In the Jaipur case, he has been directed to cooperate with the investigating officer following interim protection from arrest. Further hearings are expected to determine the status of his anticipatory bail and the progression of the POCSO charges.
In the Ghaziabad matter, the stay on arrest remains in place, but investigations continue.
With Bobat confirming Dayal will not play IPL 2026, the cricketing question is settled for this season. His future with RCB beyond 2026 will depend on how the legal proceedings unfold.
For now, the key questions — is Yash Dayal playing IPL 2026 and is Yash Dayal in jail — have clear answers: he is not playing, and he is not in custody.
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