Despite the players from the losing side, Tim David from Royal Challengers Bengaluru was awarded as the best performer of the match between RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The Australian all-rounder was the only positive talking point of Bengaluru's batting line-up, as the team managed to score only 95/9 in a rain-shortened 14-over match. PBKS batters reached the finishing line despite some brilliant bowling displays from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazelwood. 

RCB, so far in IPL 2025, did their job well in away matches, but at home they were in the back seat for three consecutive matches. Tim David, who scored an unbeaten 50 against PBKS last night, is still trying to adopt the nature of M. Chinnaswamy's surface. 

"It didn't feel so easy. Definitely the boys that bat on top hand the conditions back down, so I get a chance to see what the pitch is doing and try and play to that method. The practice pitches here have been kind of similar, and I'm trying to figure out a method of how to bat best in those conditions."

Read More: IPL 2025: PBKS vs RCB Match 37- Who will be Impact Players for today's match?

Most of the RCB batters, including Virat Kohli, lost their respective wickets by misjudging the ball. Here, Tim David improvised his batting according to the conditions. His 26-ball innings was the longest he’s ever faced in an IPL match. For Cheteshwar Pujara, the innings David had played is appreciable. 

Pujara praised David for his 50

According to Pujara, "It looked like he was aware of the lengths the bowlers were going to bowl, and he had a clear game plan—what kind of shots he wanted to play on that pitch. When you have clarity, it becomes easier. But yeah, he used this opportunity in his favor, and I'm sure his confidence will be boosted after this."

The Australian all-rounder believes that only practice can make a player better than before. He thanked Royal Challengers Bengaluru coach and other members of the team for his man-of-the-match performance. 

The Aussie said, "Our coaching staff and management have built the squad for a certain reason, with guys that bat in certain positions. I am pleased; I feel like I am batting well at the moment and can contribute. But I trust the coach for putting me in where I can."

Why Tim David Won Player Of The Match Award Despite RCB’s IPL 2025 Defeat Vs PBKS

In an exciting IPL 2025 encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), the spotlight shone brightly on one man—Tim David. While RCB eventually suffered a narrow defeat, David’s explosive and courageous performance earned him the Player of the Match award, raising many eyebrows. It's not often that a player from the losing side receives such an honor, but David’s performance was one that simply couldn’t be ignored.

In short:-

• Tim David scored 50 off 26 vs PBKS
• David also took 2 catches
• RCB lost to PBKS by 5 wickets on Friday

A Lone Warrior in a Crumbling Line-up

RCB faced early setbacks during their chase, with the top and middle order collapsing under relentless pressure from PBKS bowlers. At one point, it looked as though RCB might not even reach a respectable total. However, Tim David walked in and took matters into his own hands. He launched a counter-attack that left fans on the edge of their seats and the PBKS camp temporarily rattled.

David scored a sensational 82 runs off just 41 balls, hitting 7 sixes and 5 fours. His power-hitting was clean, calculated, and came just when RCB needed a spark. Despite wickets falling around him, David maintained his composure and carried the team close to the target, turning what looked like a one-sided match into a nail-biting finish.

Impact Beyond the Scorecard

The Player of the Match award isn’t always about being on the winning side. It is awarded to the player who has the greatest influence on the game—and that’s exactly what David had. His fearless approach, ability to find boundaries under pressure, and sheer determination shifted the game’s momentum.

One of the most memorable moments of the night came when David smashed 24 runs in a single over, taking down a seasoned bowler with breathtaking confidence. It was a passage of play that momentarily put RCB in control and made the chase look achievable.

Also read: [WATCH] Viral sensation: Robo Dog steals show dancing with cheerleaders in IPL 2025

The 34th match of IPL 2025 was held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a solid victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 5 wickets. Chasing a modest target of 96 runs in a 14-over-per-side game, PBKS comfortably crossed the finish line with 11 balls remaining, marking their fifth win of the season. The game was initially delayed due to rain, leading to a reduced-over format that added a layer of urgency to the proceedings.

RCB, after being invited to bat first by PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, struggled right from the start. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Phil Salt in the very first over, followed by Virat Kohli, who managed only a single run. Captain Rajat Patidar was the lone top-order batter to make a noticeable contribution, scoring 23 runs off 18 balls. The rest of the batting lineup failed to perform, with players like Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, and Kunal Pandya falling cheaply, leaving RCB at 63 for 9.

Amid the collapse, Tim David stood tall with a stunning unbeaten 50 off 26 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes, helping RCB reach a total of 95 in their 14 overs. For PBKS, the bowling unit delivered an impressive performance, with Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Harpreet Brar taking two wickets each, while Xavier Bartlett picked up one. The combined effort from the bowlers and a steady chase ensured a comfortable win for Punjab Kings in this rain-affected clash.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025, Match 35: GT vs DC Dream11 Top Captain And Vice-captain Choices

Punjab Kings had to struggle in the run chase

While chasing a modest target of 96 runs, Punjab Kings had a shaky start. Prabhsimran Singh was the first to fall, scoring 13 runs before being dismissed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar with the team score at 22. Soon after, Priyansh Arya was sent back for 16 off 11 balls by Josh Hazlewood. Captain Shreyas Iyer also failed to leave a mark, managing just 7 runs before falling to Hazlewood as well. Josh Inglis added 14 runs off 17 balls, but the required momentum was still missing.

The tide turned when Nehal Wadhera stepped in and changed the game with a fiery knock. Wadhera smashed 33 runs off just 19 deliveries, laced with three boundaries and three towering sixes, effectively sealing the match for Punjab Kings. From the Royal Challengers’ bowling lineup, Hazlewood was the standout performer with 3 wickets for just 14 runs in his three overs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar chipped in with 2 wickets for 26 runs. Despite their efforts, Punjab's middle-order power proved too strong in the end.

Twitter reactions after PBKS wins 34th match of IPL 2025

RCB on their home ground 😔
RCB away from home 💀🔥 #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/MDPRhlxUPZ

— Comedyculture.in (@ComedycultureIn) April 18, 2025

Wtf is wrong with RCB fans🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️
This is Nehal’s insta comment section after PBKS win#PBKSvsRCB pic.twitter.com/XdIbpGg65o

— Sahil Othi (@SahilOthi11) April 18, 2025

Aaj Match Lagta Hai 1 - 1 Over ka Hoga 😂

#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/8VGmuDcASL

— 𝐑𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐥 (@rahulpatel729) April 18, 2025

What goes around comes around ! 💯

Trolled csk for 103 score , today they got all out for double digit score - 95 & got brutally hammered 😂😂😂

OG RCB is lub🔥😭#RCBvsPBKSpic.twitter.com/Z4S780i8Xx

— Abhi (@abhi_is_online) April 18, 2025

PBKS brutally owned RCB in this tinpot Rivalry 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/TJSmig0UCD

— Honest Kohli Fan™💚❤️ (@KingEra_18) April 18, 2025

Vintage RCB 🔙

RCB Fans mood right now

7 wickets gone just 43 runs 🥲🤤😅😂🤣

49 record danger ⚡⚡🥵🤣🙄💯😚🙏🏻💥#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/mxRudXGeJo

— Don Rv 🧢 (@Ravi_1_1) April 18, 2025

Let’s take a pause to laugh at RCB 😂😂😂😂😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂haaRCB At Home 🏠 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣#RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/3OdcG4UYrm

— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) April 18, 2025

#Punjab Won The Match
Rcb Lost another Match in Home Ground #Rcb Fans :- pic.twitter.com/kmRcXmaDhQ

— Addicted To Memes (@Addictedtomemez) April 18, 2025

Hurt RCB bringing in Bandage 🩹 to reduce the damages is the funniest thing you’ll ever see today#IPL2025 #RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/W7PAhOo8Fm

— Abhinav (@abhinav8152) April 18, 2025

Let's all laugh at Chappal chor chokli 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣#PBKSvsRCB #IPL2025 #Chokli pic.twitter.com/RiKHk0kbdm

— The_ONE🦁 (@Jeevacj98) April 18, 2025

After 42/7 scoreboard, RCB players in the dressing room 😂🤣#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/XvFuihPgfm

— Grok Bhau (@GrokBhau) April 18, 2025

First ball boundary kodithe insta lo story pettesa RCB WON THE MATCH ani 😭😭#RCBvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/H8Q6x14JNV

— VEERA 🦅 (@_CultSainik_) April 18, 2025

It was the moment for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Wankhede Stadium last night. RCB pulled out their level best to defeat Mumbai Indians (MI) almost after a decade at their home ground. The match was full of exciting moments, from playing fearless shots to jaw-dropping fielding, a pure team game from the Rajat Patidar-led XI.

Read More: IPL 2025 RR vs GT : Player battles to watch out

In the 20th over of MI's innings, Phil Salt and Tim David combined together to accomplish an infeasible catch near the boundary ropes. It was the very last over of the match; Deepak Chahar was on the strike, facing Krunal Pandya. The former IPL champion side then needed 19 off 5 balls for a historic win over Bengaluru.

Chahar had to go big, and he tried to swing his bat and sent the ball towards deep midwicket. The ball was high in the air; two RCB fielders, Phil Salt and Tim David, both were rushing towards the boundary line. The next thing that happened was forcing the Wankhede crowd to erupt in loud cheer.

In this way they completed the stunning catch

It was a running Salt who first grabbed the ball with his safe hands and then passed it towards his teammate David. David, under pressure, did not make any mistake to complete the catch. Chahar leave the field with a golden duck, and Krunal bagged a total of 4 wickets. Will Jacks, Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, and Deepak Chahar fall short against the Indian spinner. 

Respect to Phill salt for this freak catch 🥶💀❤️‍🔥

RCB beat MI by 12 runs

Congratulations RCB RCB

Hardik "Tim David" #ViratKohli𓃵 Hazlewood Bhuvi thank you for this entertainment ❤️‍🩹#MIvsRCBpic.twitter.com/59FGOYs37E

— Mini (@josbuttler99) April 7, 2025

Batting first, RCB put 221/5 on the scoreboard. Mumbai Indians, in reply, tried to make runs in a quick manner, which made RCB bowlers task much easier. Despite Tilak Varma's 56 and captain Hardik Pandya's 42, Mumbai Indians could not make it to the finish line—RCB won by 12 runs. At the end of IPL 2025 match 20, RCB remains in the third spot with 6 points after 4 games, whereas Mumbai Indians are in 8th place with 2 points in 5 games.

The 19th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to be an exciting one as Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Monday, April 7. The match will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which is MI’s home ground.

Presently, MI is not doing well in the tournament. They have played four games, winning one and losing three. They are being captained by Hardik Pandya and are in the lower half of the points table.Contrarily, RCB, with Rajat Patidar as the captain, has fared better. They have won two games out of their first three. Even though they lost their previous game against Gujarat Titans (GT), they are on good terms and will attempt to bounce back by winning against MI in this important game.

A Glimpse at Players Who Played for Both MI and RCB:Throughout the years, numerous renowned cricketers have played for both MI and RCB in their IPL careers. Zaheer Khan is one such popular example, who was a legendary Indian fast bowler and played for both teams. But now, let's discuss three current players in IPL 2025 who have played for both these teams.

ALSO READ:MI vs RCB IPL Match Live Streaming: Where & How to Watch on the tv

3 Active Players Who Have Played for Both MI and RCB in IPL History
1. Krunal Pandya

Role: All-rounder (Spin Bowler + Middle-order Batter)
Played for MI: 2016 to 2021
Playing for RCB: 2025 season

Krunal Pandya began his IPL journey with Mumbai Indians in 2016. He was an important player during MI’s title wins in 2019 and 2020. However, he was released by MI ahead of the 2022 season. He then played for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for three seasons. In 2025, he joined RCB and made a great start with a top bowling performance, earning the Player of the Match award in the opening game.

2. Tim David

Role: Power-batter / All-rounder
Played for RCB: 2021 (played only 1 match)
Played for MI: 2022 to 2024
Playing for RCB: 2025 season

Tim David, an Australian destructive batter, featured in his inaugural IPL match with RCB in 2021 but was given few opportunities. Later, MI signed him during the 2022 mega auction for ₹8.25 crore. He showed an instant effect with his aggressive batting and elevated strike rate. MI released him in 2025, and RCB re-signed him. He is featuring with RCB this season and contributes power to their middle order.

3. Will Jacks

Role: Batting All-rounder (England)
Played for RCB: 2024
Playing for MI: 2025 season

Will Jacks debuted for RCB in the IPL in 2024 and performed well, scoring more than 200 runs with a good strike rate. Even though he was in good form, RCB did not retain him for the following season. MI purchased him in the 2025 auction, and now he is in their team. But he has not made any significant contribution in the ongoing season yet.

As the IPL season unfolds, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya has been scrutinized for his batting performance. Tim David, the team’s all-rounder, comes to Pandya’s defense, highlighting his pivotal role in the team’s batting line-up.

Pandya’s Performance Overview

Pandya’s scoring rate has been a topic of discussion, with his strike rate of 138.46 garnering attention. Despite facing criticism for not accelerating enough, Pandya’s contribution has been more nuanced than mere run-scoring.

See Also: Big blow for Bangladesh, star speedster ruled out of T20 World Cup

Examining specific matches sheds light on Pandya’s significance. In the match against Gujarat Titans, his quick-fire 11 runs may have seemed insufficient, but his role in setting the platform is crucial.

“We have had conversations about how we have played. Hardik has been playing a really important job for our team. Look at the last match , we struggled really hard for momentum towards the back end . Hardik played a perfect innings that set the platform for myself and Romario to go on with at the end,” David told the media during Mumbai Indians’ training session at the Wankhede Stadium.

Pandya’s Role as the Glue: Holding the Innings Together

David emphasizes Pandya’s role as the “glue” that holds the batting together. In a sport where momentum is key, Pandya’s ability to stabilize the innings cannot be overstated.

“With the extra freedom of having an extra batter, there is maybe a little bit less responsibility. Some people are playing with a little bit more freedom or throwing caution to the wind. Like I said at the start, we had Hardik playing a middle order role in the last match. He was the glue that held us together and gave us a chance to play with freedom at the back end,” David added.

Team Dynamics: Pandya’s Contribution Beyond Runs

David delves into the team dynamics, acknowledging that while some players may take more risks, Pandya’s stability allows others to flourish freely. His presence in the middle order provides a sense of security. David said the team has absolutely no concerns with the way their skipper has batted so far.

“You could go look at the first game where Hardik hit two boundaries in his first two balls. absolutely full faith in him. We know his power; we know how good he is. When he gets into that situation, he is going to win games for us,” David added.

Hardik Pandya led Mumbai Indians to their first win in this year’s IPL as they beat Delhi Capitals by 29 runs. Mumbai Indians, who are five-time champions, finally secured their first points in the tournament. Romario Shepherd played a crucial role in Mumbai’s victory with his unbeaten 39 runs off just 10 balls.

His contribution was particularly significant in the 20th over, bowled by Anrich Nortje, where Mumbai Indians scored 32 runs, setting a challenging target of 234 for 5. Despite Tristan Stubbs’s impressive innings of 71 not out off 25 balls for Delhi Capitals, they could only manage to reach 205 for 8 in their chase.

Rohit Sharma gives the first push towards win

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan laid a solid foundation for Mumbai Indians, scoring 49 and 42 runs respectively. Notably, Rohit Sharma also etched his name in history by becoming the fourth player to take 100 or more catches as a fielder in the IPL.

Romario Shepherd delivered a sensational performance for Mumbai Indians, orchestrating an incredible cameo that set the Wankhede Stadium alight. His blistering knock of 39 runs off just 10 balls propelled the hosts to a towering total of 234 for five. Shepherd’s onslaught was particularly brutal in the final over, where he mercilessly took Anrich Nortje to the cleaners, smashing him for an astonishing 32 runs.

The over witnessed four massive sixes and a couple of boundaries, igniting the crowd with excitement. Nortje, who endured a nightmarish spell, ended with figures of 4-0-65-2.

Hardik and Tim David make the final turn

Despite a spirited fightback from Delhi Capitals in the middle overs, Mumbai Indians accelerated brilliantly towards the end, smashing an astounding 96 runs in the final five overs. Tim David contributed with an unbeaten 45 alongside Shepherd, consolidating Mumbai’s imposing total and ensuring a commanding victory. Moreover, Hardik registered 39 runs.

In a dramatic turnaround, Mumbai Indians secured their first victory of the IPL 2024 season, breaking their three-match losing streak. Gerald Coetzee emerged as the hero for MI, delivering a flawless final over that sealed the win in spectacular fashion. Despite Tristan Stubbs’ valiant unbeaten knock of 71 runs off just 25 balls, the task of scoring 34 runs off the final over proved insurmountable for Delhi Capitals.

See Also: IPL 2024: Major setback to Delhi Capitals, star all-rounder ruled for a week

Coetzee’s remarkable spell saw him take three wickets while conceding a mere four runs, effectively shutting down any hopes of a late resurgence from the opposition. With this triumph, Mumbai Indians opened their account in IPL 2024 with a resounding 29-run victory, marking a special moment for the team on their home ground.

The Australian cricket team delivered a stellar performance, successfully chasing down the 216-run target set by New Zealand with six wickets in hand within 20 overs. This remarkable achievement marked their third-highest successful run chase in T20 cricket, underscoring their resilience in high-pressure situations.

Notably, Australia’s highest successful T20I run chase had also occurred against the Kiwis in Auckland back in 2018 when they achieved a stunning target of 244 runs with seven balls remaining. The second-best chase involved India whereby they hunted down 223 runs in Guwahati last year thereby showing their capacity of chasing big targets against top notch opponents.

Australia’s Dominance in T20I Run-Chases

In a nail-biting climax to the match, and needing 16 off the last over, Tim David played a brave innings striking veteran bowler Tim Southee for 12 from three balls which included an important six and boundary off last throw thus giving Australia an exciting victory.

Unbeaten on 72 runs off 44 balls, skipper Mitchell Marsh provided the much needed support to Tim David. The duo stepped in after wicketkeeper Josh Inglis was dismissed—forming a crucial partnership of 44 runs in just 19 deliveries and taking Australia towards an imposing target set by New Zealand.

Australia’s openers Travis Head and David Warner got the Australian chase off to a good start. Although they both fell within the first seven overs, their rapid scoring partnership put them in a strong position at 69-2.

SEE ASLO: India’s Test Heroes Shine Bright With Rankings After Convincing Victory

Mitchell Marsh and Tim David’s Heroic Partnership

In spite of losing important players, there were middle-order batsmen that contributed substantially to the pursuit. Glenn Maxwell injected some energy into the innings with his quick fire knock of 25 from just 11 balls before being cleaned up by Lockie Ferguson who took a well-directed yorker thus stood out as New Zealand’s most economical bowler.

The first innings began with Finn Allen and Devon Conway opening up with a quickfire partnership of 61 runs in merely 5.2 overs for the Black Caps Franchise. This was followed by Rachin Ravindra reaching his maiden T20I fifty from twenty nine deliveries while Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman also played valuable hands, leading to New Zealand amassing an imposing total of two hundred fifteen for three.

Australia’s strong batting, led by Mitchell Marsh and Tim David, eventually ensured a famous win in a high-scoring contest despite New Zealand’s daunting total, revealing their tough side and performance under pressure in T20 cricket.

42nd Match, IPL: Mumbai Indians 214 for 4 (Suryakumar 55, Tim David 45*, Ashwin 2-27) beat Rajasthan Royals 212 for 7 (Jaiswal 124, Arshad 3-39) by six wickets

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored the most remarkable century for Rajasthan Royals against his home team Mumbai Indians in an IPL match meant to honor the past rather than the future. In addition, he appeared to be on the winning side for 35.4 outs.

However, a peculiarity of Twenty20 cricket is that the decision frequently rests with the player who does not spend a lot of time in the middle. Tim David only had to face 14 balls. In any case, that was still enough for him to redirect history. At the Wankhede Stadium, for the first time in the IPL, a total of 200 or more was chased down. David was at the center of it all, smashing three sixes off three full tosses from Jason Holder in the final over.

It must be given to the IPL. It knows how to celebrate a thousand years of existence.

Jaisw-all the way

This tournament has become an integral part of Indian life after more than 999 matches. As his career develops, the main character from its 1000th may well attain a similar status. Jaiswal, who is 21 years old, overcame a slow pitch to score 124 runs off 62 balls, including 16 fours and eight sixes. 18 of 19 was the Royals’ next-best contribution.

His century was the most by an uncapped Indian batter in the Indian Premier League, and he also had the second-highest percentage of runs in boundaries in men’s T20 cricket (90.32). It was fantastic and here’s a rundown of motivations behind why.

His shots’ quality and range. He cleared the Wankhede with a short ball from Jofra Archer. He beat Piyush Chawla by reverse sweep for a six-over point. He scooped Riley Meredith over fine leg. He hit a cover drive to reach fifty. Furthermore, his hundred with a force shot before square up and down the ground. Then there was the way that every one of them were neatly hit on a surface that jumbled every other person up. A knuckle ball so badly deceived Rohit Sharma, who is perhaps Indian cricket’s poster boy for timing, that 90% of his body was nowhere near the line of it. He was basically tricked by this pitch and Sandeep Sharma into putting one on his stumps.

Lastly, the majority of Jaiswal’s destruction occurred at a time when his team was losing the advantage. Royals were 72 for 0 in their initial seven overs. In the subsequent four innings, they went 3 for 31. It was becoming painfully obvious that the set batter had to control the acceleration and last the entire inning. That is a great deal of liability. Especially considering that he was playing Archer, a bowler who had never played before.

But Jaiswal didn’t even blink. Since the 12th over, he has scored 72 of the Royals’ 109 runs. That accounts for 66% of a team’s runs in the middle overs and at the end.

SKY high

R Ashwin had bowled 192 balls in the IPL before this match. He had also only distributed seven sixes. When he came out to bat, Suryakumar Yadav sent him flying for one. He is so talented. He is able to turn extremely talented bowlers into extremely average ones.

The thing that really stands out about Suryakumar, despite how impressive his shots can sometimes be—in one over, he scooped Jason Holder over the keeper for six, and in the next ball, attempting a yorker from around the wicket, he whipped it straight-bat through midwicket—is how steadfastly he believes in himself.

In the relatively recent past, he sacked three first-ball ducks on the jog, but he continues to play the manner in which he has consistently played. Awe-inspiring high-risk cricket. Wankhede was also convinced by him.

He had a crowd that cheered for Sachin, Rohit, Bumrah, Malinga, and Bumrah. They also cheered for him.

The Royals became suddenly concerned.

A turning point

At the auction, all ten teams ignored Sandeep. When one of their primary quicks, Prasidh Krishna, was injured and unable to play, the Royals brought him in.

He became the rare bowler who can tell his grandchildren that he defeated MS Dhoni in the final over of a chase in his second match of the season. He dispatched Suryakumar with a complete screamer in his seventh match, scoring 55 off 29.

From a short fine leg, Sandeep had to run back 19 meters. Meanwhile looking over his left shoulder. He appeared to be being beaten by the ball even then. He needed to jump, impel himself off the ground, and connect with two hands. It was stuff for the fingers.

Tim David finishes it off

The 18th game was over. He only got 11 out of 6. Mumbai’s asking rate was up in the nosebleeds, at 16.6. But David batted as though they were the ones on top; like the scoreboard was lying.

In the 18th over, he hit Boult for a four. He invited Sandeep in the nineteenth over with a six. One of the most powerful players in the world got under the ball and found the boundary after the bowler, panicked, gave up a wide and missed his wide yorker by just a few inches.

The condition was currently down to 17 off the last over and it was to be bowled by somebody who is simply not fit to the assignment. Jason Holder is a new-ball weapon. He does not have a sufficient yorkie to perform the duties at the funeral. What’s more, to exacerbate the situation, the dew had come in, making it hard to hold the ball appropriately.

Everything was set up for the show off finish and David gave it. A man who became famous for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat went 6, 6, 6, resulting in the delirium of 27,000 individuals.

For Tim David, it has been quite a journey to get into the Australian cricket team. After starting off his international career for Singapore, the destructive batter decided to leave his national team and bet on himself. David decided to become a globetrotter on the T20 circuit around the world and quickly became a hot prospect in the shortest format of the game.

The teams started going mad for him to get him into their side, as seen from his IPL auction battle between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata KnightRiders for this year’s edition. The five-time Champions won the battle and reaped the rewards as the batter got into form towards the end of the competition with some stunning displays. In nine matches he played for the Mumbai franchise, David scored 187 runs in 89 balls with a staggering strike-rate of 210.1.

Also Read: IND T20 WC: Opening, No.5 or bench?

Thrilling match between India vs Australia on Tuesday

The 26-year-old, who has now made it into the T20 World Cup squad for Australia, admitted that for a long time he felt that representing the national team looked unlikely, but he refused to give up on it. “I think for a long time (representing Australia) looked unlikely, but I don’t think that I wouldn’t have ever imagined it. It’s something that you still always want to strive for, and I guess it feels really rewarding for myself and I guess for my family and my support network to be able to get that call and share it with them,” said David.

Even former player Brad Hodge said Australia shouldn’t go back on keeping David in the T20 setup and should find him a stable spot. “This is the first time he will be able to squeeze into an Australian T20 side and I don’t think we should look back from this point onwards. He should be nearly first pick in this eleven going forward. If they can get this right, If they can give him a stable position at No.5 or No.6, then it will be a long way to going to be successful in the tournament,” said Hodge.

But this isn’t only newbie we will talk about ahead of the first match. Cameron Green also has the spotlight on him and the all-rounder has stepped up to the plate recently in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. But that’s just not all. The youngster has been getting backing from all corners including Ravichandran Ashwin who the man will go for big bucks if he puts himself in the IPL auction.