The fast bowler for Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat Titans, Yash Dayal, has apologized after removing a social media post containing an Islamophobic caricature, alleging that the initial post was published “by accident.”
Dayal removed his post, but not before screenshots were extensively distributed and discussed on social media. Dayal eventually posted the following apology on his Instagram stories: “Guy’s [sic] apologize for the story it was just posted by accident plz don’t propagate hatred… I have reverence for all communities and societies.
ESPN cricinfo has contacted the BCCI and the Titans IPL franchise for comment
Should the BCCI or Titans choose to take action against Dayal, they have a prominent precedent from 2021, when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) suspended England fast bowler Ollie Robinson for eight matches – five of which were suspended for two years – and fined him £3,200 after an investigation into racist and sexist tweets he posted between 2012 and 2014.
Dayal, 26, has been playing representative cricket since 2018, when he made his senior debut for Uttar Pradesh. However, he became a household name for unfavorable reasons on April 9, this year, when Rinku Singh of the Kolkata Knight Riders hit him for five consecutive sixes off the final five balls of a match to chase an improbable target.
He did not play for Titans again for more than a month, but he did play two more games as Titans reached the tournament final, which they lost to Chennai Super Kings. Overall, Dayal’s season was forgettable, as he took two wickets in five matches at an economy rate of 11.78.
Dayal, who was acquired by Titans prior to the 2022 IPL season, appeared in nine games during the team’s journey to the championship, taking 11 wickets while sustaining an economy rate of 9.0.