In a stunning individual performance that defied the odds, Tim David etched his name in IPL history during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s clash against Punjab Kings at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18. Despite RCB suffering a five-wicket defeat, David’s blistering knock was the silver lining in an otherwise disastrous outing for the team.
The match, shortened to 14 overs due to rain, saw RCB crumble early after being asked to bat first. Star pacer Arshdeep Singh dealt critical blows upfront, removing Phil Salt and Virat Kohli in quick succession. The top order collapsed, and RCB found themselves staring at a record low total, reeling at 42-7.
That’s when Tim David stepped up. Walking in at No. 7, the Australian all-rounder launched a counter-attack, scoring a rapid 50 off 26 deliveries, featuring 5 fours and 3 sixes. Thanks to his heroics, RCB managed to post 95/9, saving face in what could have been a historic low in IPL annals.
David’s knock was not just impressive—it was record-breaking. He became the first player in IPL history to score a half-century in a first innings team total below 100. This broke the previous record held by Virat Kohli, who had scored 56 runs in RCB’s total of 106/2 back in 2013.
Here are some of the significant milestones Tim David achieved in the match:
- First player to score a fifty in a sub-100 total while batting first in IPL history
- Second-ever RCB batter to score a half-century after walking in at No. 7 or below, the first being Dinesh Karthik (2022 vs DC)
- First RCB player to hit a half-century at Chinnaswamy while batting No. 7 or lower
- Second IPL player to score a fifty and take two or more catches in the same match while batting at No. 7 or lower, after Andre Russell (2015)
Despite RCB’s loss, David’s remarkable effort earned him the Player of the Match award—an honor rarely given to a player from the losing side. Out of 1109 IPL games played (1102 completed), this marked just the 28th time the POTM award went to a player from the defeated team.
His innings was not just a rescue act but a statement performance, demonstrating composure, skill, and the ability to rise under pressure. In a season where RCB has been searching for spark and resilience, Tim David may have just lit that fuse.
