Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler Yash Dayal is set to make his return to competitive cricket after spending more than a year away from top-level action. The left-arm pacer has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), allowing him to participate in the upcoming UPT20 League.
The UPT20 League governing council is expected to hold its mini-auction in mid-July. While Lucknow has hosted league events in previous seasons, organizers are considering Agra and Noida as possible venues to help expand the tournament’s reach across Uttar Pradesh.
Yash Dayal to Play for Gorakhpur Lions
Governing council chairman Sanjay Kapoor confirmed that discussions about the venue are ongoing.
“We will conduct the UPT20 League mini-auction in mid-July. We are looking at holding it in new cities such as Agra and Noida. We want to promote the league on a larger scale, which is why we are considering these venues. If hotel arrangements are not feasible in Agra or Noida, Lucknow will remain our venue for the mini-auction,” Kapoor said.
Ahead of the new season, teams have finalized several key retentions. Meerut Mavericks have retained Rinku Singh, Kartik Tyagi, and Zeeshan Ansari. Gorakhpur Lions have kept Aryan Juyal, Yash Dayal, and Siddhartha Yadav in their squad.
Kapoor confirmed that Dayal will continue with Gorakhpur Lions and will be available for the tournament.
UPCA secretary Prem Manohar Gupta also spoke about the pacer’s return.
“UPCA will give an NOC to Yash Dayal for playing domestic and league cricket because all legal proceedings have been settled,” Gupta said.
Dayal was retained by RCB before IPL 2025 but did not play during the season. His last IPL appearance came against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.
In domestic cricket, he last played for Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Chhattisgarh on December 28, 2024. He also recently featured for Ghaziabad Royals in the Ghaziabad Premier League, showing signs of a return to regular cricket.
