Uttar Pradesh fast bowler
Ankit Chatterjee, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Path to Domestic Return
The 28-year-old's return comes after a period of uncertainty regarding his domestic future. Earlier this year, Dayal had requested a no-objection certificate from the UPCA with the intention of representing Chhattisgarh for the 2026-27 season. However, the transfer did not proceed after the state association provided assurances regarding his future opportunities within the Uttar Pradesh setup.
Dayal’s last appearance in competitive cricket dates back to the IPL 2025 final, where he played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden title victory. Operating alongside Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he claimed 13 wickets during that campaign. Despite being retained by the franchise for the 2026 season, he did not participate, with RCB director of cricket Mo Bobat citing personal reasons for his absence from the squad.
Preparation and Future Outlook
While Dayal was initially retained by the Gorakhpur Lions for the UP T20 League and participated in early training sessions, he was ultimately omitted from the final 18-member squad. His long-time coach, Amit Pal, has expressed confidence in the bowler's current physical condition, noting that he has performed well in recent trial matches and is prepared for the rigours of the upcoming season.
The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season is scheduled to begin on October 11. Uttar Pradesh is set to open its campaign against Bihar at the Rajgir International Stadium, with Dayal now in contention to feature for the side.
