‘Trying to figure out of how to bat best in those conditions’- Tim David opens up on success at Chinnaswamy

Tim David’s undefeated fifty off just twenty-six balls was the sole highlight of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) lacklustre innings against Punjab Kings in the recent IPL 2025 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The team was limited to 95 for 9 in the rain-shortened 14-over match.

David won the Player of the Match award even though he was on the losing team. The RCB team has lost three straight games at the Chinnaswamy, where David acknowledged after the game that he is still getting used to the conditions.

“In those conditions, it didn’t feel so easy to score goals quickly. Undoubtedly, the boys who bat first hand the [information on] the conditions back down, giving me an opportunity to observe the pitch’s behaviour and attempt to play according to that strategy. David stated on the post-match commentary, as cited by, “I’m trying to figure out a method of how to bat best in those conditions, because the practice pitches here have been kind of similar [to the main surfaces].”

Punjab’s brilliant bowling caused RCB to crumble in a heartbreaking manner; when David arrived, the score was 33 for 5. Only five runs were scored by openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt combined, and the middle order did little to assist. In an IPL match, David’s 26-ball innings was the longest he had ever faced. It was also his maiden fifty in the competition. Former Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara gave David a lot of credit for his clarity.

He appeared to have a well-defined strategy, knowing exactly the shots he wanted to play on that field and the lengths the bowlers would bowl. It is simpler when you are clear. However, he took advantage of the situation, and Pujara predicted that this would enhance his confidence.

Leave my batting position to the coaches: Tim David

The all-rounder from Australia also stressed the value of preparation in a league like the Indian Premier League, where all ten teams are equally strong. Additionally, he mentioned that he would like to have a greater influence if he had more deliveries to tackle.

“It was challenging to obtain some clarity tonight regarding the strategy for batting in the middle and to get some communication since the innings would have ended if we had lost the final wicket. As a result, you must somewhat control the danger. With players that bat in specific positions, our management and coaching staff have assembled the team for a specific purpose.

I feel like I can contribute and am hitting good right now, so I’m happy. Nevertheless, I have faith in the coach to place me where I can. Scoring runs is essential if I can get more balls to face, as today when the team needed me to. “I won’t be asking the coaches too many of those questions,” he added.