TL;DR
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained Yash Dayal for ₹5 crore despite two criminal investigations.
- Dayal faces sexual abuse allegations in two FIRs registered in Ghaziabad and Jaipur.
- He has temporary immunity from arrest in Ghaziabad but remains under scrutiny.
- Fans reacted negatively online to the retention of Yash Dayal by RCB.
The choice by Royal Challengers Bengaluru to keep Yash Dayal for IPL 2026 has reignited a controversy that has shadowed the pacer for much of the year. The franchise retained him for ₹5 crore despite two ongoing criminal investigations against him.
As the November 15 retention deadline approaches, the decision has sparked online reactions from some fan segments, who are debating if the franchise might have benefited from an alternative strategy. Discussions on social media platforms have centered on the choice, with certain users expressing doubts about when the retention was made.
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RCB fans rage over Yash Dayal retention
Online reactions appear to reference allegations reported earlier in 2025. According to police filings, Dayal is facing two FIRs involving accusations of sexual abuse.
The initial First Information Report (FIR), registered in Ghaziabad during July, pertains to allegations of sexual and financial exploitation, where the complainant asserts deception as per Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The subsequent case, initiated in Jaipur, encompasses further accusations, according to the complaint.
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According to the FIR registered in Jaipur, the person filing the complaint claims Dayal physically attacked her for two years, starting when she was 17. The complaint also contains charges under the POCSO Act, referencing her age at that time.
Dayal has obtained temporary immunity from arrest in the Ghaziabad case from The Allahabad High Court; however, both situations remain under scrutiny. He's also been prohibited from participating in Uttar Pradesh's domestic T20 league during the ongoing legal proceedings.
Social media's response to RCB's choice
Following RCB's announcement of its retained players, several social media posts surfaced, with some users expressing doubts about the retentions. Certain posts raised questions regarding the choice to keep the player while legal proceedings are still in progress.
How can you retain Yash Dayal? Https://t.co/6BlRoZzeuP
— Darshan Senthil (@dagiroxforever7) November 15, 2025
RCB kept Yash Dayal. Expect nothing less from this franchise. Https://t.co/mZTwiUca96
— Vinod Ramnath (@NaanumEngineer) November 15, 2025
Sources suggest some in the organization anticipate a resolution to the legal matters or think he might eventually be cleared to play, yet the negative reaction implies the choice has already impacted how the public views the situation.
As the mini-auction nears, RCB must now balance its cricketing strategies with its public image.
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