Yash Dayal vs MS Dhoni: How Virat Kohli’s Mentorship Shaped a Clutch Performer
In a heart-stopping clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Yash Dayal found himself at the center of an eerily familiar script on Saturday during the IPL 2025 season. Tasked with defending 15 runs in the final over for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dayal faced the legendary MS Dhoni once again—a scenario reminiscent of IPL 2024. But this time, with the crowd roaring and tension soaring, Dayal’s icy composure and a quiet force behind him, Virat Kohli, scripted a tale of redemption and resilience.
Let’s rewind to the moment that had every cricket fan on the edge of their seat. CSK, desperate to salvage pride after a lackluster campaign, needed 15 runs off the last over to turn the game around. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar entrusted Dayal with the ball, mirroring the faith shown in him during last year’s thriller at the same venue. What followed was pure drama—a cocktail of nerves, strategy, and sheer brilliance.
The over unfolded with calculated precision. Dayal started cautiously, conceding a single to Dhoni on the first ball and another to Ravindra Jadeja on the second. Then came the game-changer: on the third ball, Dayal dismissed Dhoni, sending the Chinnaswamy crowd into a frenzy and tilting the scales in RCB’s favor. Shivam Dube walked in with CSK needing 13 off 3—a tall order, but not impossible.
Chaos ensued when Dayal bowled a waist-high no-ball, gifting Dube a free hit that soared for a massive six. Suddenly, the equation was down to 6 runs off 3 balls. But Dayal, unfazed, kept his cool. He restricted Dube to a single on the fourth ball, followed by another single to Jadeja on the fifth. With 4 runs needed off the final delivery, Dayal consulted Patidar, took a deep breath, and delivered a low full-toss. Dube hammered it to long-on, but could only scramble for two. RCB clinched a breathtaking victory, skyrocketing to the top of the points table.
Dayal’s heroics weren’t just about numbers—they were a testament to mental fortitude. A striking stat underscores his clutch performance: in both IPL 2024 and 2025, Dayal dismissed Dhoni in crunch situations, cementing his reputation as a big-match player against one of cricket’s greatest finishers. Since IPL 2024 began, Dayal has taken 18 wickets in pressure overs, proving his mettle time and again.
Behind this transformation lies an unsung hero—Virat Kohli. Dayal’s journey hasn’t been without turbulence. In IPL 2023, while playing for Gujarat Titans, he endured a nightmare over against Kolkata Knight Riders, where Rinku Singh smashed five consecutive sixes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The incident left Dayal as a target of online trolling, and GT released him ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. But RCB saw potential where others saw failure, snapping him up for Rs 5 crore and retaining him for 2025.
Dayal’s father, Chanderpal Dayal, watching from Allahabad, revealed the pivotal role Kohli played in resurrecting his son’s confidence. ‘Virat always tells him, darr ke nahi, bindas khel, khul ke khel (play without fear, play freely and confidently),’ Chanderpal told TimesofIndia.com. ‘When Yash joined RCB, Virat would call him to his room or visit Yash himself. He told him to forget the past, work hard, and create a storm. ‘Main hoon tere saath’ (I’m with you)—those words lifted Yash’s spirits.’
Chanderpal added, ‘I’ve seen many cricketers, especially bowlers, break down after setbacks. But Virat rebuilt Yash with his own hands. His freedom on the field today is because of that trust.’ Dayal himself echoed this gratitude on social media before the season, saying, ‘RCB believed in me even in my lowest moments. That faith is very special to me.’
As RCB fans celebrated another epic win, Chanderpal’s words rang true: ‘It’s never over till the last ball is bowled in cricket. Yash is more mature now. I knew he’d pull it off, and his calmness was the key.’ Indeed, Yash Dayal, backed by Kohli’s unwavering mentorship, has emerged as a fearless match-winner—a bowler who thrives when the stakes are highest.
From the depths of despair in 2023 to the heights of glory in 2025, Dayal’s story is one of grit, guidance, and unrelenting belief. As RCB marches forward in IPL 2025, one thing is clear: with Kohli’s support and Dayal’s nerve, this team is a force to be reckoned with. What’s next for this dynamic duo? Only time—and the next thrilling over—will tell.