The auction was indeed about the Rs 24.75 crores spent for Mitchell Starc. And about Rs 20.50 crores spent for Pat Cummins. Also about Rs 14 crores spent for Daryl Mitchell. But it was as much about Yash Dayal. Five crores spent by RCB may not seem a big amount when you see some of the other buys but then the story goes far beyond the money spent. It is about all that is good about the IPL and why it is about the fulfilment of dreams. We hear it far too often that the IPL is ruthless business. Franchises don’t really care for emotion and want results at any cost. But then Dayal isn’t simply about results. He is also about the comeback and how the comeback is now complete with RCB validating it. This bid could well see the making of Dayal, adding the feel-good factor to Tuesday’s auction.
For Dayal, the five sixes he conceded aren’t going to define him any further. The Rs five-crore bid will. One bad over has not left a terminal scar. The faith shown by RCB is proof that the over was an aberration. And that’s what should inspire youngsters like Sameer Rizvi, Kumar Kushagra and others who will know that one bad day or one bad innings isn’t really the end of the world. If Dayal can, so can they and that’s the biggest auction takeaway if you are an uncapped Indian youngster.
Stuart Broad, after being hit for six sixes by Yuvraj Singh in the T20 World Cup in 2007 came back to become one of England’s best fast bowlers of all time. Ben Stokes went a step better. Hardened by the Carlos Brathwaite encounter in the 2016 final, Stokes has now helped England win multiple World Cups and is considered one of the greatest all-rounders of his time.
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Yes, Dayal is still a youngster. Has little pedigree compared to his other more illustrious counterparts. He is no Broad. But he too has been able to absorb the setback and comeback stronger. Many including myself were a tad surprised when the bid went as high for someone who did not have a great tournament. But for young Dayal, things couldn’t be better. It was indeed a transformative moment for the young man and a good 2024 can push him for more glory.
In April 2023, while the world celebrated Rinku, Yash was left to ponder how it all happened. This is what sport is all about. It Tests you. Even breaks you if you aren’t strong enough.
In all honesty, the Rinku moment was pure torture. Losing length in trying to bowl yorkers and then coming under pressure, things just happened before Yash could get control back.
From the Rs 3.2 crore bid to being hit for five sixes, young Yash had seen it all.
Today, he will yet again feel the emotion. But it will be emotion of a very different kind. It is one of acute relief and elation and that’s where the comeback really starts. Sachin Tendulkar was bowled by Dilhara Fernando for a duck in the 2007 World Cup and had wanted to give it all up. He wanted to retire. Even the greatest found it hard. Yash just needs to be told its okay to fail. RCB’s bid has just told him so. It has said to him that everyone is entitled one bad day. Yes it is hard when millions are watching but that’s what sport is all about. In 2024 when he runs in and picks a few wickets, the same people who had trolled him will start applauding again. That’s what the IPL is all about. It is about aspiration and fulfilling dreams. It makes you a hero overnight and a fallen hero soon after. But then again it offers you an opportunity. Make, break and make again. That’s why it is the brand it is now and it captures our imagination for two straight months every year. The Dayal story isn’t unique. Rather it is the norm in the IPL making it India’s most valued sports property.
Yash has seen the worst. Time for him to see the good again and rise. Glad RCB has given him the opportunity.
Also Read: IPL Auction: From Andrew Flintoff to Ben Stokes, via Yuvraj Singh – Gambles that didn’t Pay Off