Yash Dayal’s confidence took a major dent after getting hit for five sixes in an over during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season.
Dayal, who was playing for Gujarat Titans (GT) at the time, had failed to defend 29 runs in an over as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh took him to the cleaners in a group-stage match at Ahmedabad.
However, the right-arm pacer made a terrific comeback while representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2024. He returned with 15 scalps from 14 matches, helping RCB qualify for the playoffs, in what was a huge turnaround for the franchise after losing seven of their first eight games.
In a virtual knockout fixture against CSK, RCB needed to win the contest by at least 18 runs to make it to the playoffs.
CSK needed 17 runs in the final over to make it to the top four, and Yash Dayal was given the responsibility to defend the runs. His first delivery was hammered for a six by the legendary MS Dhoni.
However, Dayal dismissed Dhoni on the very next ball to take the game away from the Super Kings. The 26-year-old recently recalled that high-octane match, saying that he felt bad after dismissing the former CSK skipper.
"I felt bad after dismissing him. Because I don't know or care what people say but the frustration with which he left the ground, it was like you don't know whether he will return or not. Will we ever see him again on the ground. It was a moment where a lot of things were going through my head. I got a breather, a bit of relief," Dayal said while speaking to Jatin Sapru on his YouTube channel.
"With 11 runs needed off 4, I was like why I am even looking at the scoreboard. I shouldn't. I should just focus on my bowling. Shardul bhai was on strike. Virat bhai said, 'don't give pace, nor bowl right onto his bat'. I told him right now it's like peanut butter falling from top. Anywhere I want to bowl, I will I have so much confidence," he added.
Yash Dayal has been included in India’s squad for the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh, which got underway on September 19 at Chepauk.
