‘Don’t feel you are less’: Yash Dayal explains how an inspiring discussion with Virat Kohli helped him bounce back

One of the most impressive players in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season was the young left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, who led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to an incredible comeback. The fast bowler has also developed a close bond with superstar hitter Virat Kohli, and he recently revealed how the former captain motivates him.

Yash Dayal troubles in the 2023 Indian Premier League began when Rinku Singh hit him for five straight sixes against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Dayal’s career may have been destroyed by the loss, but he turned the round with the encouragement of his teammates and words from Kohli.

Dayal was reassured by Kohli that RCB had complete faith in him during a private chat they had prior to the start of the IPL 2024 season. Kohli related stories of his problems and how he overcame them.

Yash Dayal got his chance to shine after being selected by RCB for INR five crore at the IPL 2024 auction

“Virat bhaiya came over and told Yash, ‘I have some work with you for five minutes,’ as I was practicing on the ground. Please enter my room. In an interview with Jatin Sapru, the pacer said, “Yes, Bhaiya, what happened?”

“He claimed that while what transpired with Rinku was his fault, you don’t feel any less of a person after that. After that, Kohli bhaiya talked to me and shared his anecdotes, thus that five minutes stretched to fifteen or twenty. I recall every single detail about him. He informed me that you have our support for the entire season, which is why we chose you (RCB). Whether you perform or not, you should always be joyful and enthusiastic when you hit the ground, he continued.

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Throughout IPL 2024, his transformation was clear to see. He was a major factor in the team’s winning season, taking 15 wickets in 14 games for the Royal Challengers of Bengal. The bowler has since been added to India’s Test team for the two-match series that will begin on September 19, 2024, against Bangladesh.