Tim David, Kagiso Rabada, Saim Ayub in frame. Credit -X/@Rcb_Xtra
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) returned to winning ways by beating the Gujarat Titans (GT) on Friday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Although Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal orchestrated the chase of 206 runs, the pair of Tim David and Krunal Pandya saw them home.
As RCB chased down GT's total of 203/5, it was RCB's fifth-ever successful target of 200-plus runs achieved. Kohli and Padikkal were the pioneers for RCB on Friday evening, for their tall second-wicket partnership of 115 runs. The two matched stroke for stroke, with DDP playing the aggressive role, while King Kohli was at his audacious best.
However, after Kohli and Padikkal’s dismissals, RCB lost the plot in the chase for a while, but the Herculean Tim David and Krunal Pandya’s street smarts took them over the line. David has got out just twice in the IPL 2026. He has been that effective as a finisher for RCB.
Tim David's Saim Ayub-Esque Moment vs GT
The Australian big-hitter, Tim David, though, slammed just one maximum against GT - hitting a nine-ball 10. It turned out to be enough as Krunal Pandya did the damage with his carnage of 23* in 12 balls.
However, David’s maximum had a very different story to tell. With RCB needing 28 runs off 14 balls, the Herculean hitter went for an agricultural slog over deep mid-wicket, but he could only get a thick edge, which went well over third man.
David reacted as Saim Ayub does during his no-look shots, but the RCB finisher thought his tale for the day was over. But to his surprise, the ball sailed well over the fielder in the deep.
Even the big hitter could not hold his emotions, as he gave a beaming smile to Rabada, who clocked over 150 kph nearly a dozen times vs RCB.
Interestingly, Pakistan's Saim Ayub is famous for playing his no-look shots in fine leg region. Although he has mastered the art, those no-looks have become the reason of Ayub's fall multiple times.
Watch: Tim David puts Saim Ayub to shame with no-look shot against Rabada
Krunal took the mickey against off-spinner Manav Suthar, slapping 18 runs in the antepenultimate over. Later, RCB chased down the target in 18.5 overs.
Virat Kohli backs Tim David for sheer firepower
RCB have one of the strongest batting line-up with the batting line-up full of match-winners. However, the biggest flex for the defending champions is having Tim David and Romario Shepherd as finishers. No team comes even score to RCB in terms of firepower in their lower middle order.
Even Virat Kohli reminisced the same when he backed RCB's batting order. The Player of the Match in RCB vs GT applauded the firepower of David & Shepherd, and the streetwise of senior Pandya.
"The body language comes from a belief in your abilities and we have a tremendous batting lineup. If you look at the talent on display, we have guys who can play good cricket shots, you have the power of Tim David and Shepherd and then you have the smarts of Krunal," Virat Kohli mentioned after RCB vs GT.
What's next for RCB?
After winning five out of seven matches, RCB sit in the second position just after the Punjab Kings. Their next two fixtures are scheduled in quick succession vs DC and GT away, before having a seven-day cool-off.
RCB have concluded its matches in Bengaluru and will play its final two home fixtures in Raipur. Since this venue typically offers a slower pitch, the team's middle order, which has struggled recently, must improve their performance.
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