IPL 2024: RCB buying Yash Dayal in the Auction a Masterstroke?

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru's move for Yash Dayal in the IPL 2024 auction is bearing fruits for them so far in the tournament.

Yash Dayal was released by Gujarat Titans ahead of the auction. The left-arm pacer was hit for five consecutive sixes by KKR's Rinku Singh last year and subsequently lost his place in the team.

After Titans released the Uttar Pradesh bowler ahead of the auction, not many thought Dayal would find a team, but that was not the case. After intense bidding, Royal Challengers Bengaluru acquired the pacer for Rs 5 crore.

Many eyebrows were raised, but the bowler has paid dividends in the first two matches. Dayal bowled decently in the first match against Chennai Super Kings. He went for 28 runs in his three overs but got the important wicket of CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.

And against Punjab Kings on Monday (March 25), Dayal showed his artistry with the new ball. The pacer's first two overs were excellent as he conceded only four runs in them within the powerplay. Experienced campaigner like Shikhar Dhawan was repeatedly beaten by the swing and Dayal set the tone for RCB early on in the inning. At the death, he executed the plans pretty well and also got the crucial wicket of Sam Curran. He ended up with figures of 1 for 23 in his four overs.

After last season's incident, Dayal is someone who will be flying under the radar in this one. But it looks like the pacer has gone past that afternoon and can become a key weapon for RCB this year.

Dayal has looked far more disciplined in the first two matches. He has been much more aggressive in terms of his line and will be hoping to continue the same in the upcoming matches. Will RCB's investment in the 26-year-old prove to be a masterstroke? We are still far away from that but the early days are looking encouraging.