For nearly a year, Chanderpal Dayal, father of Indian fast bowler Yash Dayal, would avoid venturing out of his home near Allahabad’s Karbala Masjid in the afternoon. The reason? The relentless taunts from school children on passing buses. They would shout, “Rinku Singh, Rinku Singh, five sixes,” a painful reminder of the fateful evening in Ahmedabad when Yash was hit for six consecutive sixes by Rinku Singh in an IPL match. The incident had left a deep impact on the Dayal family, leaving Yash feeling disheartened and his mother Radha refusing to eat for days.
“It was like an accident for us,” Chanderpal recalled, his voice choking with emotion. “The school bus would pass by, and the kids would scream, ‘Rinku Singh, Rinku Singh, five sixes.’ It was so painful—why did this have to happen to my son?” But sport, as they say, is a great leveller. The Dayal family’s story of Yash’s redemption is a testament to this very truth. Today, Yash stands tall, having earned his maiden Test call-up for India against Bangladesh in Chennai. His journey from being the target of professional trolls to being considered a better Test bowling prospect than established Indian bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Arshdeep Singh is a remarkable tale of resilience and determination.
“We, as a family, made a pledge. Jab tak tum (Yash) nahin khelenge, chodenge nahin. India khelke tum khelke rahoge (We won’t stop until you play for India. You will play for India).” said Chanderpal, highlighting their unwavering support.
While the IPL incident was a significant setback, Chanderpal drew inspiration from the example of Stuart Broad, a renowned English bowler who was also hit for six sixes by Yuvraj Singh in the 2007 World Cup. “We explained to him that very night that it wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, and it won’t be the last. Yuvraj Singh hit Stuart Broad for six sixes, and Broad went on to become one of the greatest seam bowlers of all time.” He encouraged Yash to learn from the experience and use it as fuel to improve.
Yash’s journey to redemption wasn’t easy. He was released by the Gujarat Titans and had to rebuild his career. But with unwavering support from his family, he persevered. He found a new home with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2024, where he took 15 wickets in 14 matches, showcasing his growth and maturity as a bowler. His performance in the Duleep Trophy, where he took three wickets in India A’s second innings, further cemented his position as a promising Test prospect.
“I had a hunch when India A were 76/4 in the second innings, and Yash had taken three of the four wickets that morning. I told my family, ‘He has made his claim; now it’s up to the selection committee.’ They saw his potential,” said Chanderpal. He feels that Yash’s recent form and his ability to swing the ball and maintain control under pressure have made him a strong contender for a spot in the upcoming India-Australia Test series.
While it may be difficult for him to make his debut in the first Test against Bangladesh due to India’s preference for three spinners at home, Dayal’s chances increase if Mohammed Siraj isn’t fully fit. His left-arm swing could be an advantage in the conditions offered in Chennai. “With bounce on offer in Chennai, he has an advantage as a left-hander; the rest is up to the team think tank, we will go there for sure. And the second Test is Kanpur where all of our family will go,” said Chanderpal.
Yash Dayal’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity, with unwavering support and belief in oneself, success is possible. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and a heartwarming tale of how a player can overcome a painful experience and rise to the top.
