Tim David and Virat Kohli & Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma (Source: AFP Photos)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) hard-hitting finisher Tim David receives a stern warning from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with a significant punishment in the middle of IPL 2026.
The BCCI’s action against David came after an eventful incident during the MI vs RCB IPL 2026 match, where he made fun of on-field umpires while flagging ball-tampering concerns.
In other news, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya caught BCCI’s attention as well for unwanted reasons. Hardik received a fine worth INR 12 lakh rupees for maintaining a slow over rate against RCB at Wankhede Stadium.
What Did Tim David Do During IPL Ball-Tampering Drama?
The Tim David drama happened during the 18th over of RCB's innings when Hardik Pandya was bowling. The RCB all-rounder smashed a six off Hardik on 17.2, and the on-field umpires had to change the ball because it became wet.
Then, when the new ball came, David kept on tossing it when the umpires were asking for it several times. In the end, the umpires got the ball, and one of them, Virender Sharma, pointed a finger at him with a serious lecture.
David, in response, told the umpires that he looked at the shape of the ball for fairness. He did the same thing during the last over of the innings.
Also Read: Rajat Patidar Issues Official Statement On Virat Kohli Injury
BCCI Punishes Tim David, Hardik Pandya
The BCCI later confirmed in a media statement that it was a Level 1 offence by David under IPL’s Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials.
"David was found to have breached Article 2.4 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “disobeying an umpire’s instruction during a match.” The first incident occurred when the umpires changed the ball during the 18th over (17.2) of RCB’s batting innings," an IPL statement read.
"He wanted to have a look at the ball and did not hand it over despite being repeatedly asked to do so. The second incident occurred during the 20th over (19.2), when he again did not hand over the ball to the umpires, amounting to repeated failure to comply with the instructions or directives of the umpires," it added.
Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, took too much time to complete their over against RCB in Match 20 of IPL 2026. It was the first time Hardik had taken this much of time, and was charged under Article 2.22 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct.
David, Hardik Soon To Be Back In IPL 2026
Tim David will soon be back in IPL 2026, as RCB will be playing against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Keeping in mind that David has been in exceptional form, which included a 16-ball 34 against MI, David will surely be in action against Rishabh Pant and his boys.
MI, on the other hand, will play against Punjab Kings on Thursday (April 16) at Wankhede Stadium.
Also Read: RCB Legend Virat Kohli Stamps Authority On Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians
