RCB bowler Yash Dayal, facing POCSO case, to skip IPL 2026. Here's all we know

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Yash Dayal will not join the squad for the Indian Premier League 2026 season, the franchise confirmed on Tuesday.

Director of Cricket Mo Bobat stated that the player is currently dealing with personal issues but remains under contract with the franchise.


"So just to confirm that Yash will not be joining up with the squad. As you know, he is going through a personal situation currently, and just to clarify, we've been very supportive of Yash to date, and that's reflected in the opportunity to either retain or release players," said Bobat in the season-opening press meet on Tuesday.

"We wanted to retain him, and he remains under contract and will continue, you know, in the short term, foreseeable to remain under contract," he added.

Serious legal allegations under investigation

Dayal is currently facing multiple legal cases involving allegations of sexual assault and exploitation. One of the most serious complaints has been registered in Jaipur under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), indicating that the complainant was allegedly a minor at the time.

The FIR reportedly accuses him of repeated sexual exploitation over an extended period, with claims that he used emotional influence and promises related to cricket opportunities.

In a separate case filed in Ghaziabad, Dayal faces allegations of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage. He has denied all allegations.

Rajasthan high court denies interim relief in POCSO case

The Rajasthan High Court on Friday denied interim relief to Yash Dayal in a case involving allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Justice Praveer Bhatnagar, hearing the matter, directed the investigating officer to appear before the court on January 19 with a status update on the probe.

Dayal had moved the court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with a case registered at Sanganer (Sadar) police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

Allegations and legal arguments presented in court

The case is based on a complaint filed on July 23, 2025, in which a minor alleged that she was subjected to molestation and sexual exploitation over a period of two and a half years. The complaint stated that the accused allegedly took advantage of her emotional and financial vulnerability.

Earlier, a special POCSO court had rejected Dayal’s anticipatory bail plea on December 22, 2025.

During the hearing, Dayal’s counsel, Chandra Shekhar Sharma, argued that the complainant had not established her presence at the hotel where the alleged incident took place. He also questioned her claim of using another person’s identity card to check in, and maintained that the allegations were false.

The defence further informed the court about a separate case registered in Ghaziabad by another complainant, noting that the Allahabad High Court had granted bail to Dayal in that matter on July 15, 2025.

Franchise maintains communication and support

Bobat emphasised that the franchise continues to remain in touch with Dayal and has extended support during this period.

"We are communicating with him regularly, you know, I spoke to him earlier today as well. But it has been decided that it is not in his best interest, or in the franchise's best interest, for him to join up with us at this point.

"We won't be making any other further comments on that at this stage. But he obviously retains our support, he remains under contract, and we'll continue to speak to him as he goes through his personal situation," he explained.

Performance, personal life and controversies

Yash Dayal featured in two seasons (2024 and 2025) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, picking up 28 wickets in 29 matches. He played a key role in the team’s bowling unit, contributing to their playoff run in 2024 and their maiden Indian Premier League title win in 2025. Dayal was also the joint-highest wicket-taker for RCB in 2024 with 15 wickets.

He rebuilt his reputation as a dependable death-over bowler after a difficult outing with Gujarat Titans in 2023, where he conceded five sixes in an over. RCB continued to back him, and he emerged as a reliable option in the squad.