Yash Dayal, the emerging pace bowler now representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has opened up about the transformational journey he has experienced since joining the team. According to him, the advice and encouragement received from Virat Kohli have left a lasting impact on his mindset and performance. He emphasised that the support system within the RCB camp has played a significant role in his improvement during the current IPL season.
Once remembered for a difficult moment in the IPL 2023, when Rinku Singh hammered him for five consecutive sixes while he was with Gujarat Titans, Yash Dayal has dramatically reversed that narrative. After being acquired by RCB, he showcased nerves of steel by defending 15 runs in the final over against Chennai Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, sealing a win for his new team.
Reflecting on this turnaround, Yash Dayal acknowledged that the encouragement from RCB’s management and Virat Kohli’s mentorship have been pivotal. He admitted that the lessons imparted by Virat Kohli still resonate with him and that the consistent backing from the franchise has been instrumental in restoring his confidence and sharpening his performance under pressure.
Looking ahead to RCB’s upcoming match against Lucknow Super Giants, Yash Dayal shared insights into his pre-game approach. He explained that his focus is on calming his nerves and avoiding distractions related to uncontrollable factors. He now places greater emphasis on staying grounded in his routine and keeping his attention on the game itself rather than the opponent, an approach shaped largely by the challenges he faced in the previous season.
However, the match against Lucknow remains uncertain. The IPL encountered an unexpected disruption in Dharamsala, where an air raid alert in nearby regions led to the postponement of a scheduled clash between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. As a result, the league is now awaiting a decision from the Indian government regarding whether the tournament can continue as planned or not.
