From ‘Rinku Singh’ Taunts to Test Call-Up: Yash Dayal’s Remarkable Cricket Journey

Chanderpal Dayal would not leave his house near the Karbala Masjid in Allahabad during the afternoon for almost a year. It was a strange and painful explanation.

There would be school buses that would pass through his locality and children peeking out of the window would start hooting “Riinnnkuuuu Siiiinghhhhh, Riiiinnnkuuuuu Siiiinghhhh, five sixes, five sixes,”, a stern reminder of his son Yash’s ordeal during that fateful evening in Ahmedabdad when his Uttar Pradesh’s statemate got instant stardom and subsequently a national call-up hitting him for five sixes in a final over of an IPL game between Gujarat Titans and KKR.

“Humare liye woh ek hadsa tha (It was like an accident for us),” Chanderpal, a retired officer with Accountant General’s Office in Allahabad’s voice choked while recalling those days in 2023.

“When the school bus went by, children would cry out, ‘Rinku Singh, Rinku Singh, five sixes.'” Why did my son have to go through this? It was excruciating. He was crying so hard it was obvious.

Though Yash’s redemption story is the stuff of legends for the Dayal family, sports really is a great leveler. On September 19, he received his first Test call-up against Bangladesh in Chennai.

After going from being the target of professional trolls to being regarded as a stronger Test bowler than two white ball India internationals, Khaleel Ahmed and Arshdeep Singh, Yash has completed the circle of Fame Game.

And who wouldn’t concur that the real thing in cricket is Test cricket? Test cricket is tantalising “mutton keema”, Yash’s favorite meal, which his family gorged on while commemorating his first national call-up. T20 cricket is still a tasty desert.

But things weren’t the same fifteen months ago. Let alone enjoying a treat like mutton keema, Yash’s mother Radha abstained from eating for days after observing their son remain silent and despondent following that “Rinku Night.”

“As Yash disappeared into a shell, his mother Radha became unwell and stopped eating due to her extreme distress. In order to help him rebuild his career, the Titans also dismissed him. Chanderpal recalls everything if it was yesterday.

“Yash fell ill, but we never let him think about giving up. We, as a family, made a pledge. “Jab tak tum (Yash) India nahin khelogey, chodenge nahin. India tum khelke rahoge (We won’t stop until you play for India. You will play for India).”

“Me and my family would keep motivating him to ensure that he never thinks of giving up. And today, he’s in front of you,” pride was palpable in his voice.

As the saying goes, “tough times pass, but tough men endure.” Chanderpal was forced to give his son Stuart Broad’s example, who, despite suffering six sixes, barely seemed to be bothered and ended up with 600 Test wickets.

That same night, we told him that this wasn’t the first time it had happened and that it probably wouldn’t be the last. Stuart Broad became one of the greatest seam bowlers of all time after being hit six sixes by Yuvraj Singh.”

Dayal’s tale today stands as a testament to resiliency and redemption, demonstrating that successes frequently speak louder than failures.

“It can’t get bigger than this for a father. For any cricketer, representing the country in Tests is the ultimate dream. It’s a huge day for us, for our family, and for our friends. The entire credit goes to him. No matter how hard I would have tried, it was his efforts that got him where he has reached today.”

“Yash is a God-gifted natural talent. I never had to teach him the nuances of cricket. My family and I just made him mentally stronger,” you could allow a bit of indulgence from a proud father. Today is his day after all that he went through in last one year.

Dayal represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2024, taking 15 wickets in 14 games to demonstrate his development as a bowler and help them reach the playoffs.

In the ongoing Duleep Trophy, the India B pacer claimed three wickets in the second innings to help the India A team win by 76 runs in Bengaluru, showcasing his ability to swing the ball and keep composure under duress.

Taking the wickets of Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel during his explosive opening session demonstrated his ready for bigger challenges. Selectors may be considering developing the left-arm pacer with the upcoming India-Australia Test series in mind.

When India A was 76/4 in the second innings and Yash had claimed three of the four wickets that morning, I got suspicious. He has made his claim; the selection committee now has the final say, I informed my family. Chandarpal stated, “They recognized his potential.”

“Quality is taken into consideration, yet everyone takes witchcraft. We can always trust on God. We had a quick conversation during which he invited us to Chennai to see the first Test against Bangladesh on September 19.

Although it would be challenging for him to make his debut right now—India often fields three spinners at home—Dayal might still be eligible for a Test cap if Mohammed Siraj is unable to recover fully.

“In Chennai, there is bounce available He has an edge because he is a left-hander; we will definitely go to the club think tank for the remaining decisions. “And our entire family will be going to Kanpur for the second test,” continued Chandarpal, who has six older brothers and one younger brother who are all residents of Allahabad.

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