Who is Yash Dayal? A name that once echoed with the sting of a 30-run over against Rinku Singh in the 2023 IPL. Yet, fast forward to the 2025 season, and Dayal has rewritten his narrative with two heart-stopping final overs against the legendary MS Dhoni. The left-arm pacer has become the unlikely hero for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, delivering under pressure when it mattered most.
On May 18, 2024, at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium, Dayal etched his name into RCB folklore by denying Dhoni a last-over victory. A year later, he repeated the feat in the same venue, proving that his journey is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. The recent RCB vs CSK clash encapsulated Dayal’s career—a mix of nerve-wracking moments and sheer brilliance.
With 15 runs to defend in the final over, Dayal unleashed a series of low full tosses, one of which accounted for Dhoni’s wicket. Just as RCB fans began to celebrate, a high full toss slipped from Dayal’s grasp, and Shivam Dube sent it soaring over the boundary. The no-ball call added to the tension, but Dayal held his nerve, conceding just three runs off the next three deliveries. RCB clinched victory by a razor-thin margin of two runs.
What makes Dayal so effective in these high-pressure situations? The answer lies in his ability to execute low full tosses, a delivery that’s notoriously difficult to hit for sixes. His over-the-wicket angle as a left-arm pacer adds another layer of complexity for batters. Time and again, Dayal has risen to the occasion, proving his mettle when the stakes are highest.
Reflecting on his journey, Dayal opened up about the mental toll of his 2023 setback. “After that match against KKR, I was told to avoid social media, but I couldn’t resist. The criticism hurt, and I even fell ill for a few days,” he shared. “But I reminded myself that I wasn’t the first to face such challenges. I focused on the process, determined to come back stronger and handle similar situations better.”
From the tears in Ahmedabad to the triumphant roars in Bengaluru, Dayal’s story is one of resilience and redemption. He has silenced his critics and proven that he belongs on the grand stage of the IPL.
