Yash Dayal reveals how Kohli helped him get Dhoni out

Yash Dayal is riding a new high in his career after he was selected for India’s first Test against Bangladesh. This welcome development was followed by a decent performance in the Duleep Trophy, where he got four wickets. 

He was always on the radar of the Indian selectors after being given a fast bowling contract, a new initiative by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) to take care of young upcoming pacers. 

However, last year was the lowest in his career. After being hit for five sixes by Rinku Singh in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game, he went through a low phase, which affected his game, and Gujarat Titans had to part ways with Dayal before the next season. 

The fortunes changed when the Uttar Pradesh pacer was picked by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he was eased into the side by one certain, Virat Kohli. 

“The day before our season opener - at Chepauk - he [Kohli] came to me at the team hotel and said, ‘Yash, I want to talk to you. Come to my room,’ Dayal said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. 

“My first thought was to wonder what mistake I had committed that Virat bhaiya wants to talk to me (laughs). Hesitantly, I knocked on his door. Later, I couldn't believe I was listening to him in his room.

“He told me what happened with the Rinku over was written in Rinku's destiny, but this season you need to prove why we picked you. We have been watching you for a long time and you were picked purely based on your skills. You will not feel like you have come to this team for the first time. We will back you completely. You will feel like it's a family. 

“He also talked about the low times in his career and how he coped with them. He then said whatever role RCB gave me, I should do it happily and with excitement. 

"When he told me that RCB would support me through the tournament, half the things in my mind got sorted out straightaway. I just had to step onto the field and perform,” Dayal recounted. 

With Dayal in India's Test scheme of things now, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) pacer wants to regain his strength, which is swinging the ball. 

“My basic bowling strength has always been swing,” Dayal remarked. 

“Then I developed speed to go with my swing, which is very difficult for batsmen to confront. The moment the ball leaves my hand, it moves, like we say in Hindi kaanta badalti hai [changes direction]. I have always believed without swing nearly 90% of my bowling strength will be reduced.”

Dayal also remembered when the senior India pacer Mohammed Shami helped him out at the NCA and adviced him on imparting backspin on his deliveries. 

“I have spent a lot of time with Shami bhai at Gujarat Titans, both on and off the ground. He spoke to me a lot about the importance of backspin on the ball and suggested I work on that. He said the more backspin you have, the faster you will be able to bowl.”

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