Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting coach, Dinesh Karthik, explained the strategy behind Tim David’s remarkable late assault in Bengaluru following the Australian’s stellar performance that led RCB to a convincing victory over Chennai Super Kings in their Indian Premier League 2026 encounter on Sunday.
While Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal had already laid a solid foundation, it was Tim David’s explosive finish that sealed the win for RCB. David, who came in with 35 balls remaining in the innings, scored an unbeaten 70 off 25 balls, smashing eight sixes and three boundaries to propel RCB to 250 for 3. CSK was subsequently bowled out for 207.
Tim David’s innings set a record as only one other player has scored as many or more runs without facing a ball in the first 14 overs of a T20 inning with available ball-by-ball data. His standout moment came in the 19th over when he dismantled Jamie Overton, hitting 6, 4, 6, 6, 6, and collecting 30 runs. One of his massive hits, a 106-meter six, thrilled the crowd at Chinnaswamy Stadium, with even Virat Kohli seen applauding from the dressing room.
Describing Tim David as a naturally talented ball-striker, Dinesh Karthik praised his power-hitting abilities, attributing them to a combination of innate skill and dedicated practice sessions.
Karthik emphasized the importance of ensuring David’s consistency in hitting enough balls during training, considering his role as a middle-order batsman. He acknowledged David’s stellar form over the past year, highlighting his status as one of the top T20 batters globally due to his middle-order consistency.
Tim David credited his outstanding performance against CSK to the valuable guidance provided by Dinesh Karthik, stating that the advice helped him prepare effectively for the match conditions. He expressed confidence in his game preparation and appreciated the supportive environment created by his teammates, allowing him to play freely.
Reflecting on his partnership with Rajat Patidar and the confidence gained from batting alongside teammates like Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd, Tim David expressed satisfaction with his performance and the overall team dynamic.
Overall, Tim David’s exceptional display and the strategic guidance from Dinesh Karthik were instrumental in RCB’s victory, showcasing the team’s strength and unity in IPL 2026 action.