Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal has been named in the Uttar Pradesh squad for the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season, ending a competitive cricket absence that stretches back to the IPL 2025 final in June 2025. Dayal was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning line-up in that final and has not featured in any competitive fixture since.
Uttar Pradesh open their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign against Bihar on October 11 at Rajgir International Stadium. Aryan Juyal captains the 16-member side and also serves as the wicketkeeper. Spinner Zeeshan Ansari is another notable returnee, coming back to the UP Ranji setup after a six-year absence, having last represented the state in the format in 2020.
Why does Yash Dayal’s return matter for Uttar Pradesh’s bowling attack?
Dayal’s absence from competitive cricket since June 2025 makes his comeback one of the more closely watched developments in the UP squad announcement. A gap of that length from match action is significant for any pace bowler, and his fitness and form heading into the red-ball season will be of interest to the team management.
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His experience at the highest level of T20 cricket, including playing a role in an IPL title-winning campaign, gives Uttar Pradesh a left-arm pace option with exposure to high-pressure situations. Left-arm seamers are a relatively scarce resource in domestic cricket, and Dayal’s availability strengthens the variety in UP’s bowling resources for the Ranji Trophy.
What other selection decisions stand out in the UP squad for 2026-27?
Zeeshan Ansari‘s recall is among the more prominent selection calls in this squad alongside Dayal’s inclusion. The spinner last appeared for Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy cricket in 2020, making his return a gap of six years at the state level. His reintegration into the squad suggests the team management sees value in his red-ball credentials for the new season.
The squad also features established domestic names such as Rinku Singh and Priyam Garg, alongside captain Aryan Juyal. The combination of returning players and experienced performers gives Uttar Pradesh a well-rounded group as they prepare to face Bihar in their opening fixture on October 11.
Uttar Pradesh full squad for Ranji Trophy 2026-27
Aryan Juyal (capt, wk), Rinku Singh, Abhishek Goswami, Aradhya Yadav, Karan Sharma, Madhav Kaushik, Aditya Sharma, Siddharth Yadav, Prashant Veer, Kartik Yadav, Zeeshan Ansari, Vansh Choudhary, Yash Dayal, Priyam Garg, Abhinandan Singh, Kartik Tyagi
