Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowler Yash Dayal has candidly spoken about the emotional toll he experienced following the Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders game in IPL 2023. The ordeal began after Rinku Singh of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) launched an attack against Dayal, hitting him for five consecutive sixes in a game that left a lasting impact on the young bowler.
Recounting the events, Dayal revealed how he was advised caution against engaging with social media. Despite warnings, he found himself drawn to online platforms, only to be met with harsh criticism and abuse. "Match ke baad mai jab gaya waapis toh mujhe kaafi problem hui, mere ko mana kiya gaya tha ki social media mar dekhna. But maine dekh liya. (When I went back after the match, I was not feeling good. I was advised caution against engaging with social media but I still saw those posts)."
The negativity and lack of empathy from netizens weighed heavily on Dayal, highlighting the disconnect between the audience's perception and the personal struggles and backgrounds of athletes. "Hurt hua ki log kya sochte hai, hum kis background se aate hai aur khelte hai. Do teen din mey meri tabiyat kharab ho gayi thi," he expressed, detailing the impact on his health and well-being.
When asked by Siraj about how he managed to overcome the incident, Dayal emphasised the importance of focusing on the process and improvement, rather than being swayed by external opinions. His resilience was on full display in his home debut for RCB against the Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he delivered an impressive performance with bowling figures of 1/23, including the crucial wicket of Sam Curran from his four overs.