Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has declared that fast bowler Yash Dayal will not be playing for the squad in the 2026 Indian Premier League. Yash Dayal is under intense legal scrutiny following many allegations of sexual assault and abuse.

The case has received widespread attention, not just because of the gravity of the charges, but also because of the overlap between the ongoing judicial proceedings and his professional cricketing career.

One of the most serious complaints was filed in Jaipur, where the charges are under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), implying that the complainant was a minor at the time of the incidents.

The FIR accuses Dayal of continuous sexual exploitation over a lengthy period of time, claiming that he established and maintained the relationship through emotional persuasion and promises of cricketing possibilities.

Another separate case has been filed in Ghaziabad, where Dayal faces charges of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage. The complaint alleges that Dayal maintained a relationship with the complainant based on false representations, resulting in additional legal issues.

Yash Dayal has denied all the allegations.

In a press conference, RCB’s Mo Bobat stated that Dayal is dealing with personal concerns and would not be participating in the tournament this season, despite remaining under contract.

"Yash Dayal will not be a part of RCB this season. He's going through a personal situation. He remains under contract. It was decided in his best interest," Bobat said in a press conference ahead of the tournament.

The Jaipur case is a serious one, as it involves a minor, and in December 2025, a special POCSO court in Jaipur rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Yash Dayal. The court emphasized that cases involving minors require heightened caution and sensitivity.

Before the IPL 2026 season, Yash Dayal married his longtime partner, Shweta Pundir. The pair married on February 4 in Noida. The wedding was a low-key ceremony, attended only by close family members. Dayal's wife, Shweta, is a content creator based in New Delhi.

In Dayal's absence, the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Duffy, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, and Romario Shepherd will need to shoulder bigger responsibilities.