Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) preparations for their title defence have been rocked by the conspicuous absence of star pacer Yash Dayal. The 27-year-old was missing from the squad’s training session at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, sparking feverish speculation regarding his status for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. 

Dayal, who was a key part of RCB’s title-winning campaign last year, has become a figure of intense controversy. The Uttar Pradesh cricketer is currently facing two serious physical abuse charges, including one involving a minor, across two separate states in India. Although the Rajasthan High Court granted him anticipatory bail in January after a lower court's rejection, the matter remains under legal process, and these ongoing proceedings continue to cloud his professional future.

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The mystery deepened when images of the new RCB team bus surfaced on social media. Fans were quick to note that while the vehicle features the likeness of every squad member, Dayal’s face is notably absent.

The omission has led many to believe the franchise has "quietly" moved on. On X , one user noted:

Another posted:

Despite the uproar, RCB management has maintained a stoic silence. Off the field, Yash Dayal reportedly married influencer Shweta Pundir in February, but with the pacer missing from training, his place in the defending champions' XI remains a major question mark. (With inputs from Agencies)