RCB Begins IPL 2026 Camp: The Mysterious Absence of Yash Dayal
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially commenced their training camp for the 2026 Indian Premier League season at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While veteran stars have reported for duty, left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal is notably missing from the squad’s initial sessions, raising questions about his availability for the upcoming tournament.
Key Attendees at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Under the guidance of head coach Andy Flower, RCB is preparing for a highly competitive season following their appearance in the June 2025 IPL final against the Punjab Kings. The franchise’s social media channels and early camp footage confirm the presence of several marquee players.
- Virat Kohli leading the top-order batting preparations.
- New auction additions Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, and Suyash Sharma.
- Retained core players including Rajat Patidar joining the middle-order drills.
Despite the high-profile attendance, Dayal remains missing from the ground, the team bus, and all official franchise communications.
The Disappearance of Yash Dayal
Dayal was retained by RCB for INR 5 crore ahead of the mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The franchise showed massive faith in the bowler, making his current absence a significant talking point. Dayal’s last competitive appearance was in June 2025. Since then, he has completely vanished from the competitive cricket circuit, missing the entire domestic season for Uttar Pradesh.
Domestic Cricket Sidelining and UPCA Remarks
According to reports from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), Dayal was entirely dropped from domestic selection due to ongoing off-field issues. The BCCI Centre of Excellence reportedly attempted to contact the UPCA regarding the bowler’s status last September, but efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.
“Due to pending off-field matters, he was not considered for selection during the domestic season,” a UPCA official stated. “There was a call from the Centre of Excellence checking on him in September, but we were unable to establish any contact. He has changed his number, and even his childhood coach does not know his current whereabouts.”
Current Status and RCB’s Stance
Recent social media activity showed Dayal receiving throwdowns from a side-arm specialist in a video uploaded by a family member on Instagram. However, the location was noticeably distinct from the RCB training facilities in Bengaluru.
RCB management has remained silent on the issue. Multiple inquiries sent to franchise officials regarding Dayal’s reporting date or availability have gone unanswered. Analysts tracking player movements via ESPNcricinfo have noted the complete lack of updates regarding his fitness or contractual status.
Yash Dayal Retention Profile
| Player | Role | Retention Price | Last Competitive Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yash Dayal | Left-arm fast bowler | INR 5 Crore | IPL 2025 Final (June 2025) |
As the IPL 2026 season approaches, RCB will need to address the gap in their fast-bowling department if Dayal remains unavailable. For now, the franchise continues its preparations with its newly assembled bowling unit, awaiting clarity on their retained left-arm pacer.