RCB Faces Backlash: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s choice to retain Yash Dayal for IPL 2026 has sparked fierce debate, as the pacer faces two serious criminal cases that continue to raise public concern.
RCB’s Retention of Yash Dayal Sparks Outrage
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have come under heavy criticism after retaining left-arm pacer Yash Dayal for the IPL 2026 season. The decision has raised serious questions because the player is currently facing two major criminal cases, including one under the POCSO Act.
Dayal, bought for Rs 5 crore in the previous season, was named among the 17 retained players on 15 November. Fans immediately questioned whether this move was appropriate given the ongoing investigations.
Serious Allegations Under Investigation
The 27-year-old cricketer is embroiled in two separate cases filed in Ghaziabad and Jaipur. Both complaints involve accusations of sexual assault. Fans across social media expressed anger, arguing that retaining him sends a troubling message at a time when the allegations remain unresolved.
RCB has not commented on why they chose to retain Dayal or whether they consulted with the BCCI about his legal situation before finalizing their squad.
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Dayal’s Absence From Professional Cricket
Yash Dayal has not featured in any competitive match since the IPL 2025 final, where RCB secured their maiden league title against Punjab Kings. His domestic career has also stalled.
In August 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association suspended him from the UP T20 League due to the seriousness of the accusations. He was set to play for the Gorakhpur Lions after being bought for Rs 7 lakh. Dayal was also left out of Uttar Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy squad, reflecting growing uncertainty around his playing future.
This suspension highlighted the weight of the legal proceedings, making RCB’s decision to retain him for another season even more divisive among fans and analysts.
Public Backlash Intensifies Online
Social media reactions were swift and harsh. One user wrote that retaining a player facing POCSO charges was “shameful,” especially when his state team had already removed him. Another fan pointed out the irony of a team shaped around Virat Kohli keeping a player accused of such serious misconduct.
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Details of the Two FIRs Against Dayal
The controversy stems from two FIRs filed in 2025. The first was lodged in Ghaziabad, accusing Dayal of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage, registered under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The second FIR, filed at the Sanganer Sadar police station in Jaipur, is more severe. It accuses Dayal of repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor between 2023 and April 2024, leading to charges under both the BNS and the POCSO Act.
According to the Jaipur complaint, the survivor met Dayal during an IPL match when she was 17. The FIR claims that he invited her to a hotel under the pretext of offering career guidance and allegedly assaulted her. The complaint further states that similar incidents continued for nearly two years, starting when she was still a minor.
Legal Proceedings and Their Impact on IPL 2026
Dayal received protection from arrest in the Ghaziabad case through the Allahabad High Court. However, the Rajasthan High Court rejected his appeal for anticipatory bail in the Jaipur case due to the seriousness of the POCSO-related allegations.
With the next court hearing pending and the possibility of arrest still present, his participation in IPL 2026 remains highly uncertain.
