Yash Dayal Retirement: Dayal Missing in RCB Camp for IPL 2026
While the franchise has not released an "official" statement confirming Yash Dayal has been dropped, several strong indicators suggest he has been sidelined.
Yash Dayal Retirement: The situation regarding Yash Dayal and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has become a major talking point just days before the IPL 2026 season opener. Yash Dayal Retirement: Dayal Missing in RCB Camp for IPL 2026.
While the franchise has not released an “official” statement confirming he has been dropped, several strong indicators suggest he has been sidelined. Yash Dayal was a notable absentee when RCB started their pre-season training camp at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 18, 2026.
Fans and media have pointed out that Dayal’s face is missing from the official team bus graphics for 2026. Usually, all retained and key players are featured in the team’s visual branding, so his omission is seen as a sign that the management is distancing itself from him.
Dayal is currently facing serious charges in two different states. One involves an FIR in Ghaziabad related to physical exploitation, and another more severe case in Jaipur reportedly involves a minor under the POCSO Act.
Lack of Contact: Reports from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) suggest that officials have been unable to contact him for months. It is being reported that he changed his phone number and even his childhood coach is unaware of his current location.
Despite being absent from the RCB camp, Dayal is physically active. His wife, influencer Shweta Pundir (whom he married in a private ceremony in February 2026), recently posted a video on Instagram showing him practicing alone in the nets with a side-arm specialist. This confirms he is not injured, but rather training away from the professional team environment.
Will RCB drop him?
Technically, Dayal was retained for Rs 5 crore ahead of the 2026 season. However, the silence from the RCB management is being interpreted by many experts as a “soft sideline.” Since the tournament starts on March 28, 2026, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, RCB will likely have to name an injury or “unavailability” replacement soon if the legal cloud doesn’t clear.
Brand Image: Given the nature of the allegations, many believe the franchise is keeping him away to protect the team’s public image, especially following the backlash they received for retaining him while the cases were active.
Yash Dayal is currently not part of the active RCB squad for practice and promotional activities. While not “officially” dropped from the contract yet, his participation in IPL 2026 looks highly unlikely given the severity of the legal proceedings.
