NEW DELHI: Pacer Yash Dayal has finally spoken about his absence from Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 campaign, saying he is still part of the team despite missing the entire season.

Rumours had spread after Dayal was missing from RCB training sessions and promotional material, but the left-arm pacer clarified that the decision was not his own.

Speaking on the Talk with Manvendra podcast, Dayal said, “They haven’t removed me from the team, and they haven’t even announced a replacement because maybe they still see me as part of the squad. It wasn’t my personal decision to opt out of this season. The statement may become controversial, but decisions are always taken by the authorities...

I miss it a lot and feel like I should be there.Dayal also revealed that communication with the franchise has continued regularly. “There is communication with the management. Sometimes they call me, sometimes I call them. I speak with the director, and I also stay in touch with DK (Dinesh Karthik) bhaiya.”Dayal, who played a key role in RCB’s bowling attack during the last two IPL seasons, has recently been surrounded by controversy.

Reports claimed the BCCI Centre of Excellence and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association struggled to contact him for several months.The pacer has also been involved in legal trouble after allegations of exploitation and a separate POCSO-related case surfaced against him. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, RCB have retained him under contract while the franchise continues its IPL 2026 playoff campaign. They will face Gujarat Titans on Tuesday.