'Lost 7-8 kilos, fell ill' - Hardik Pandya confirms devastating condition of GT Bowler

Sports is a funny old thing. It can take you to the heaven and then moments after crash you down to the burning hell. The contrasting nature of emotions can take a toll on anyone, and it has now affected Gujarat Titans bowler Yash Dayal.

Yash Dayal was excellent for GT last year as they won the IPL trophy in their debut season. Dayal played nine matches and picked up 11 wickets, becoming one of the finds of the season. But fast forward to 2023, he is nowhere to be seen in the scenario after three horrible games.

His lowest point came in the KKR match earlier this month. Yash Dayal had to defend 29 runs in the final over, and he failed to do so. His Uttar Pradesh teammate Rinku Singh took him to the cleaners and hit him for five consecutive sixes. KKR won out of nowhere and GT had the opposite fate.

Although the Titans have survived the ill effect of that horror last over, it looks like Yash Dayal hasn't. At least GT captain Hardik Pandya revealed so. Pandya was asked about the left-arm pacer after their win over Mumbai Indians, and the Titans skipper revealed some gloomy things.

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Yash Dayal presently 'not good enough': Hardik Pandya

The 25-year-old hasn't played since and it was asked whether he will take any part in the upcoming matches of the season.

"I can't confirm that (on his chances of Yash Dayal playing again this season)," Hardik said when asked about Dayal on Star Sports.

"He fell ill and lost 7-8 kilos after that match. There was a spread of viral infection during that period and also due to the pressure he had faced, his condition is presently not good enough to take the field. Someone's loss is someone's gain at the end of the day. It is going to take a long time before we see him on the field," Hardik added.

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Dayal has played 3 times this season, and has gone wicketless at an average of 15.83. It has also taken a toll on his family as well. His mother stopped eating for two days after nationwide criticism.

But Dayal's father remained strong and advised his son to overcome the adverse situation with some motivating words.

"These are the moments sport is made up of. Even in life, you come across failures, it's important to stand up stronger," Mr. Chandrapal Dayal, Yash's father was quoted by PTI.

Gujarat Titans have replaced Dayal with veteran pacer Mohit Sharma, who has been a revelation since playing his first match. The 34-year-old pacer has so far picked up 6 wickets in four matches at an outstanding economy of 6.15, which is the best with bowlers bowling more than 10 overs thus far in this IPL season.

Mohit himself was just a net bowler for GT last season, having previously bagged the Purple Cap in IPL during his CSK days. He was roped in ahead of this season and so far looks like a massive hit for the defending Champions.