Tim David showcased his value to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 season with an impressive power-hitting performance for the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions on Sunday. The 30-year-old Australian smashed eight sixes in his unbeaten 70 off 25 balls, leading Bengaluru to a 43-run victory over Chennai Super Kings, securing their second win in a row.
During his explosive innings, David caught everyone’s attention with a massive 106m strike that landed on the roof of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Reflecting on his performance, David, who was named Player of the Match, mentioned his practice sessions with the team where they aim to hit the ball on the roof, making his roof-clearing shot during the match even more satisfying.
With their victory, Bengaluru currently sits at the top of the early-season standings, boasting a superior net run rate compared to Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings, who also started the season with consecutive wins. Rajat Patidar contributed significantly with an unbeaten 48 off 19 balls, while David’s explosive 30-run over, featuring four sixes, was a key moment that he credited to the captain’s strategic approach.
Despite a valiant effort, Chennai Super Kings fell short in their chase of 251 runs, managing to score 207 before being bowled out with just two balls remaining in their innings. Head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged Bengaluru’s strong finish, attributing the loss to their opponents’ late surge in the game.
The defeat marked Chennai’s third consecutive loss, causing them to drop to the bottom of the IPL table.