Yash Dayal returns to Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy camp

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Uttar Pradesh pacer Yash Dayal has been included in the state’s Ranji Trophy camp after spending 16 months away from competitive cricket. The camp is scheduled to begin at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, September 25.

UPCA chief executive officer Ankit Chatterjee said Dayal had completed trials and performed well in practice matches. “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,” Chatterjee told the Times of India.

Proposed Chhattisgarh move did not go ahead

Dayal had sought a no-objection certificate from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association earlier in 2026 as he prepared for a possible move to Chhattisgarh for the 2026-27 domestic season. The transfer did not materialise after the UPCA assured the left-arm seamer that he would receive another opportunity with Uttar Pradesh.

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Amit Pal, Dayal’s coach from his formative years, said the 28-year-old had performed strongly in the trial matches and was ready to play if selected.

Competitive absence followed IPL 2025 final

Dayal has not played competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 final, when he was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s pace attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Dayal took 13 wickets during RCB’s first IPL title-winning season.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Dayal before IPL 2026, but the pacer did not join the squad and missed the entire season. RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat said at the time that selecting Dayal was not in the best interests of either the player or the franchise because of his personal situation.

Gorakhpur Lions also retained Dayal for the UP T20 League. Dayal began training with the franchise’s retained players but was subsequently left out of its 18-member squad.

Uttar Pradesh begin Ranji season against Bihar

Uttar Pradesh will open the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season against Bihar on October 11 at the newly built Rajgir International Stadium. Dayal’s inclusion in the preparatory camp makes him available for selection, but the source report does not confirm his place in the final playing squad.