RCB's IPL Winner in Trouble: After Yash Dayal, another player exposed on Social Media

Royal Challengers Bengaluru faces mounting embarrassment ahead of IPL 2026 as leaked private messages from former player Swastik Chikara surface online, echoing the ongoing controversies surrounding retained star Yash Dayal.

Swastik Chikara, part of RCB's triumphant IPL 2025 title squad, met a woman named Radhika Sharma and a friend at a Kanpur mall, inviting them for coffee. Sharma, who initially didn't recognize the cricketer as she doesn't follow the sport, later shared screenshots of their chats after alleging persistent unwanted advances.

"After a day or two, he started flirting, so I removed him," the user wrote in her post. She further alleged that despite being removed, Chikara continued to "pressurize" her to meet him at a specific cafe

or restaurant," with messages clearly asking her to meet at Starbucks.

The viral screenshots have ignited social media fury, with fans questioning RCB's player vetting processes after releasing Chikara before the IPL 2026 mini-auction-where he went unsold amid speculation of off-field issues.

Franchise Backlash Builds

RCB's decision not to re-bid for Chikara has fueled theories that his behavior influenced the move, tarnishing the franchise's image further as supporters demand accountability. Neither Chikara nor RCB has issued statements, but the timing-post-auction-amplifies the damage to team morale.

Yash Dayal Case Compounds RCB Woes

Adding fuel to the fire, Yash Dayal remains with RCB despite two grave sexual exploitation accusations. In mid-2025, a woman filed an FIR in Ghaziabad for five years of harassment, abuse, and mental torture under false marriage promises.

A second Jaipur case under POCSO accused the pacer of raping a 17-year-old over two years, luring her with cricket career promises during an IPL match. RCB's retention of Dayal post-title win drew massive online backlash, now intertwined with Chikara's saga as fans slam the franchise for background check lapses.

In cricketing terms, RCB may also move out of Bengaluru ahead of IPL 2026 season. The defending champions are unlikely to play at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and may shift their base to Pune and Indore.