Uttar Pradesh pacer Yash Dayal, who has two separate criminal cases registered against him and has been banned by the UP T20 League, was among the players retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the 2026 Indian Premier League on Saturday.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are facing a massive backlash after including pacer Yash Dayal in their
list of retained players for the 2026 Indian Premier League on Saturday. Left-arm pacer Dayal was among the 17 players confirmed to remain part of the RCB squad on the retention deadline that had been set for Saturday, 15 November.

Uttar Pradesh pacer Dayal, who had been acquired by RCB for Rs 5 crore during the mini auction in Dubai two years ago, faces criminal charges in two separate cases.

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In one case that has been
filed in UP’s Ghaziabad in July under section 69 of Bhartiya Nayaya Sanhita (BNS), the 27-year-old has been accused by his long-term partner of sexually and financially exploiting her under the pretext of marriage.

And in the
other case filed in Jaipur under sections from the POCSO Act as well as the BNS, Dayal is accused of raping a minor for two years under the pretext of helping her in her cricket career.

The allegations have led to Dayal being banned from the UP T20 League. RCB, however, did not take any such step against the pacer and
decided to include him in their retention list along with batting superstar Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar and 14 others.

Here are some of the reactions to RCB’s decision to retain Dayal:

What a shame
Kohli and Yash Dayal in the same poster… https://t.co/JJIT8Dr5av

— Cric Nerd (@CheeYaarr) November 15, 2025

Yash Dayal Retain 😞

Absolute Shameless Management 🖐🏻 https://t.co/x1cM0EKQmQ

— Rohit Choudhary 🌠 (@beingictfan) November 15, 2025STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Honestly seeing Yash Dayal in this list makes me pissed me so much..
This guy literally has a POCSCO against him along with other charges. https://t.co/wc284maI0y

— vanshika (@VanshuKiid) November 15, 2025

Does this dayal guy have some big connection or something? https://t.co/oqNvuxwSZ0

— Juju (@Jujuproponent__) November 15, 2025STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Yash Dayal :

> Kicked by his state team
> Kicked by his state league
> Retained by RCB 🤡

These criminals are not hated enough. pic.twitter.com/vlFvM56t0Y

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) November 15, 2025

RCB had opted to retain a majority of players from the squad that had delivered the franchise its maiden IPL title in 17 years. England all-rounder Liam Livingstone – who had been acquired for Rs 8.75 crore in last year’s mega auction in Jeddah – was the biggest name released from the squad on Saturday.

South African pacer Lungi Ngidi, New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert and senior India batter Mayank Agarwal were some of the other key players released from the Royal Challengers squad.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADHomeFirst CricketRCB’s decision to retain controversial pacer Yash Dayal leads to massive outrage: ‘Absolute Shameless Management’End of Article