A hopeful testimony from Yash Dayal asserts that his performance against Rinku Singh during IPL 2023 taught him important lessons in life. The left-arm medium pacer has earned his first call up to represent India in Test matches. He is one of five cricketers included in India’s team that will face Bangladesh at MA Chidambaram Stadium beginning on 19 September. Dayal stated that losing those five balls over his head to Rinku when playing for GT contributed significantly to his mental and professional strength.
In a recent ESPN Cricinfo interview, Dayal emphasized that even if he tries hard, this moment never leaves him completely; however, instead of getting demoralized by it he has learnt how best to cope during such circumstances. Watching helplessly as his team lost broke him but it was one major factor in becoming tougher for him mentally and as a cricketer.
“I used to feel panic inside me. Why do I always have to bowl the crucial overs? Now I understand why I was chosen for that role – because they wanted someone who can win for them… Even now this thought crosses my mind sometimes. Initially I was frightened but now I welcome any challenging scenario,” confessed Dayal
Dayal also stated how they were and his families over the news of his selection in India. He expressed that it had been a tough journey for him and it was an indescribable feeling of pride and happiness that his family underwent.
“When I got a message from my friend saying I’d been selected in the Test squad for India. At first, I didn’t believe him, but some time later I saw my name on the BCCI website as part of the Test team…Then I kept my phones aside to try to understand what was going on inside me emotionally,” said Dayal.
“I was too much attached to it emotionally, because being picked for Tests is huge! It made me remember all those years back. So I called up my people: mother and sister were just as emotional; tears were flowing out of their eyes out of joy,” added Dayal
By the time I glanced through the messages on my phone one of my mates had told me that I have been taken into India Test team. For a moment I thought he was joking, but then later I found out my name was in the Test squad list on BCCI’s site. “Immediately I threw away all my phones to start trying to understand what was going on within me mentally,” Dayal went on.
“I had become too emotional because getting a Test call-up is something quite important. I started remembering how it has been all these years. Then I made a call to my family: my mom and sister were also emotional; there were tears streaming down their cheeks caused by happiness,” added Dayal
Dayal made an impressionable start in IPL by bagging 11 wickets from GT’s successful 2022 edition played over nine matches. However, after facing shameful defeat due to Rinku’s assault in 2023 IPL; he slid into deep depression which he has openly talked about during several interviews. Nevertheless, Dayal made a strong comeback in the 2024 IPL season playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) this time where he took 15 wickets out of 14 matches played helping team qualify to playoffs
Recently, in a Duleep Trophy match against India A, India B won by 76 runs, and the 26-year-old Uttar Pradesh cricketer outshone the rest by taking 4 wickets for 89 runs in two innings. His first-class records show that he has played 24 matches and taken 76 wickets at an average of 28.89 with one five-wicket haul.
