Cricket careers take unexpected turns that test mental strength constantly. Yash Dayal experienced both extremes within a short time period. He went from auction success to public embarrassment quickly. Then he rebuilt himself through hard work and determination. His story shows how champions respond to crushing setbacks.
Yash Dayal: The Left-Arm Swing Bowler
Yash Dayal bowls left-arm fast-medium pace for Uttar Pradesh. He swings the ball both ways which troubles batters. Such skills caught IPL scouts’ attention during domestic tournaments. Gujarat Titans believed in his potential back in 2022.
They paid ₹3.2 crore for an uncapped player then. That amount seemed huge for someone without IPL experience. His debut came against the Rajasthan Royals on April 13, 2022. The franchise invested heavily hoping he’d become their strike bowler.
Early performances showed promise and glimpses of quality bowling. Teams need left-arm options to create different angles always.
The Night That Changed Everything
IPL 2023 brought his darkest professional moment ever. Kolkata Knight Riders needed 29 runs from the final over. Rinku Singh faced him with everything on the line. What followed became cricket folklore unfortunately for the wrong reasons.
Five consecutive sixes flew off Rinku’s bat that devastating night. Yash Dayal conceded 69 runs without taking any wickets. Those figures of 0/69 topped the unwanted list. He gave away more runs than any bowler that season.
Gujarat Titans released him after that traumatic experience happened. Public criticism came from everywhere after that match.
His IPL Price and Comeback
Royal Challengers Bengaluru saw something worth saving in him. They bought Yash Dayal for ₹5 crore in the 2024 auction. This amount actually increased despite his nightmare being over. The franchise believed in redemption stories clearly then.
His price stayed at ₹5 crore for the 2025 season too. RCB retained him again for 2026 at the same amount. The IPL price reflects their faith in his abilities. Second chances don’t come often in professional sports anywhere.
His IPL Team Journey
Yash switched from the Gujarat Titans to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His new IPL team won their first championship in 2025. He contributed to that historic triumph after rebuilding confidence. The franchise gave him opportunities to prove himself again.
His IPL team values his left-arm variations during powerplay overs. Young bowlers need supportive environments after public failures happen. RCB provided exactly that atmosphere for his growth clearly.
Bouncing back from humiliation defines true character always. He proved his mental toughness throughout 2026.
