Yash Dayal's journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been full of ups and downs. The young fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh was with Gujarat Titans in 2023, where he initially impressed in the early matches. However, his season took a dramatic turn when, during a game against Kolkata Knight Riders, he was hit for five consecutive sixes by Rinku Singh in the final over, leading to a shocking loss for his team. The incident shook his confidence, and many were surprised when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) acquired him for ₹5 crore at the IPL 2024 auction.
Despite the pressure of joining RCB, Dayal delivered an outstanding performance, taking 15 wickets for the franchise and justifying their faith in him. In a recent interview, he spoke about the impact Virat Kohli had on boosting his morale after joining the team. Dayal shared how Kohli’s approach made him feel at ease and motivated.
"The biggest thing he (Kohli) told me was that he would back me throughout the season. He said I wouldn’t feel like I was in a new place, and he supported me completely. That was a massive confidence boost. He talks to young players in such a positive and supportive way, and he’s nothing like how people portray him on TV. I never felt that way,” Dayal revealed in an interview with *Sports Tak*.
In other news, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah congratulated Virat Kohli for completing 16 years in international cricket. Kohli made his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka at Dambulla, just months after leading India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup.
“16 years ago today, a 19-year-old Kohli stepped onto the international stage for the first time, marking the beginning of what has become a truly legendary career. Congratulations to the King on completing 16 years in international cricket!” Shah wrote on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).