IPL 2023: Hardik Pandya Breaks Silence on Yash Dayal’s Omission

IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Hardik Pandya revealed on Tuesday that there might be some delay with Yash Dayal’s comeback in the Game. Pandya further disclosed that the left-arm pacer had fallen ill following his match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 9th, in which Dayal conceded 31 runs in the final over. Since that high-scoring thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Dayal has not been in any games, as he endured a severe beating from Rinku Singh.

The Titans have played several matches in the past few weeks without Dayal’s participation, which has ignited a discussion among the fans about his prolonged absence from the team. Dayal was utterly devastated after his inability to defend 29 runs in the final over of Kolkata Knight Riders’ 205-run chase. Rinku Singh dominated the high-profile match and created a stir by smashing five consecutive sixes in the last five deliveries, leaving Dayal struggling to recover from the fierce attack. Since the crushing defeat, GT has not selected Dayal in the playing XI or even listed him as a substitute, fueling speculation about his future with the team following a forgettable evening against KKR.

IPL 2023: “Dayal Lost 7-8 KG after KKR Match,” Reveals Pandya

Gujarat secured a resounding victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) on Tuesday, April 25, at their home ground, which propelled them to the second spot in the points table. During a post-match interview, the press asked Hardik Pandya about Yash Dayal’s prolonged absence from the tournament. The talented all-rounder explained that Dayal had lost weight due to illness after the KKR game and would require more time to recover before making his anticipated comeback.

“I can’t confirm that (When he was asked about Yash Dayal’s chances of returning to action in IPL 2023). He fell ill and lost 7-8 kg 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 some time before we see him on the field,” Hardik Pandya said during his interaction with Star Sports.

Mohit Sharma has successfully filled the void left by Yash Dayal in the Gujarat Titans squad and has made an impression with his excellent variations and precise bowling. Despite being a seasoned player, Sharma has displayed a remarkable performance on his comeback to the IPL, picking up six wickets in just four matches, with an impressive economy rate of 6.15 runs per over. Additionally, Sharma has received the Man of the Match title twice in the current season.