Left-arm fast bowler Yash Dayal is set to return to competitive cricket in the upcoming UPT20 League after spending several months out of action. In mid-July, the organizers of the tournament plan to hold a mini-auction, the likely venues of which will be Agra and Noida.
The pacer has not played competitive cricket since the end of 2024 due to legal proceedings related to two separate criminal cases. Despite being retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs 5 crore ahead of IPL 2026, Dayal remained unavailable throughout the season and did not feature in a single match.
UPCA will grant NOC to Yash Dayal after the legal proceedings are over
Yash Dayal is set to return to competitive cricket after the legal case against him is settled. The left-handed Korean has faced cases in various states, including in one case charges under the POCSO Act. An FIR was also filed in Ghaziabad and another case was registered in Jaipur.
Despite the legal issues, Gorakhpur Lions have retained Dayal for the upcoming UPT20 league along with Aryan Juyal and Siddhartha Yadav. UPT20 League Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor confirmed that Dayal remains in the squad and is available for selection.
Uttar Pradesh State Cricket Association (UPCA) secretary Prem Manohar Gupta confirmed that Dayal would be eligible to return to domestic cricket. He said that the association will issue the necessary permission for the pacer to participate in the league and domestic competitions.
“The UPCA will give NOC to Yash Dayal to play domestic and league cricket because all the lawsuits have been settled,” Gupta said.
UPT20 League Eyes Agra and Noida as Mini Auctions
The UPT20 League Governing Council is eyeing Agra and Noida as the venue for the upcoming mini-auction. Officials are evaluating logistical arrangements in both cities, while Lucknow remains a fallback option if accommodation and infrastructure requirements are not met.
The teams have already submitted their retention lists ahead of the new season. Gorakhpur Lions have retained Yash Dayal, Aryan Juyal and Siddhartha Yadav, while defending champions Meerut Mavericks have retained key players Rinka Singh, Karthik Tyaga and Zeeshan Ansari in their squad.
UPT20 League Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor said the tournament wants to strengthen its presence in different parts of the state. He added that the mini-auction is likely to take place in mid-July and a final decision on the venue is expected soon.
“We will be holding a UPT20 League mini-auction in mid-July. We are planning to hold it in new cities like Agra and Noida. We want to promote the league on a bigger scale, so we are looking at these places. If hotel accommodation in Agra or Noida is not possible, Lucknow will remain our venue for the mini-auction,” Kapoor told TOI.
Yash Dayal set for a competitive comeback after a long absence
Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced criticism for retaining Yash Dayal ahead of IPL 2026. However, the left-arm pacer remained unavailable throughout the season and did not play a single match for the team.
Dayal recently returned to competitive cricket with Ghaziabad Royals in the Ghaziabad Premier League. Prior to this appearance, his last List A match came for Uttar Pradesh against Chhattisgarh in Vizianagaram on 28 December 2024.
The pacer last played first-class cricket for Uttar Pradesh against Haryana in Lucknow from October 18-21, 2024. He last played in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad in the 2025 season.
