Oh Tim David. Finally, one of the world’s most destructive T20 batters, and arguably the most in-form finisher coming into the IPL 2022, gets his stage and time to display his brute strength, his gift of timing.
Despite coming off successful stints in different franchise leagues over the months leading into the IPL, Mumbai Indians cast David aside just after failures in the first couple of matches while stuck with painfully struggling Kieron Pollard.
After being eliminated from the playoff race, MI relocated him in the playing eleven. His first match back, David helped MI get their maiden victory of the season, whacking 20* off 9 balls versus Rajasthan Royals. That was just a first proper glimpse of David in the IPL, who also featured for RCB in one match last year before being dropped.
Against Gujarat Titans, The Singaporean-Australian Tim David got his chance to flex his muscles, and let Mumbai know what they had missed in benching him for all those games as their boat drowned, why fans on social media had been pleading with the management to get this 6 feet 4-inch sturdy man on the field with a bat in hand.
He came in at 119-4 with MI’s innings once again slipping in the middle-overs. David got off the blocks straight away with a couple of sweetly timed boundaries off Shami before tonking both Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson for a six down the ground.
Then came the last over, by Shami, but this time David had decided to play all the balls with Murugan Ashwin on the other end. Two dot balls, and David denied singles on both as pressure piled on him.
He got a desired delivery – a poor slot ball from Shami, clubbed over long-off. Dot, wide, dot. Shami went short to which David pulled disdainfully, the ball sailing over deep mid-wicket, to assert his authority. Tim David’s 44-run knock from 21 balls helped MI to a fighting total of 177.
“It was nice to hit a couple out of the middle,” David said; it was nice to see you do that too.
Fans felt vindicated for they have been asking for Tim David’s inclusion in the eleven since the game he was dropped. Netizens expressed awe at David’s strength and timing while some also trolled Mumbai Indians.
Here are the best reactions to Tim David’s coming of age knock in the IPL:
Tim David in last 2 matches: 20*(9) and 44*(21) – the new finisher of Mumbai has arrived.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 6, 2022
Should bring in Jordan and Dube and bowl them in tandem against Pollard and confuse Mahela to continue with him instead of Tim David next season.
— Heisenberg
(@internetumpire) May 6, 2022
(@internetumpire) Tim David, what a knock. We’re going to see many of such brilliant finishes in IPL from this big boy. What an asset.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) May 6, 2022
Australia should pick Tim David soon in T20 team ahead of the World Cup.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 6, 2022
“Mumbai Indians are out this season”
But they have Tim David, Brevis, Tilak Verma, Jofra, Stubbs full time next season: pic.twitter.com/51mseuVTNZ
— Hemant (@Sportscasmm) May 6, 2022
Tim David got solid power and big reach.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 6, 2022
HOW do you drop Tim David from your team man after two matches HOW I’ll never get over it
— Dave (@CricketDave27) May 6, 2022
Tim David has completed 2000 runs in his T20 Cricket Career. pic.twitter.com/H79eZ79LsV
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) May 6, 2022
Not surprised to see Tim David come good. However, MI might be regretting not giving him a consistent run. #GTvMI #IPL2022 https://t.co/q2Fj0Nz0fM
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 6, 2022
Tim David!
Well done to MI for benching him for so long.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) May 6, 2022
Bruh Tim David
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) May 6, 2022
Not a good sign Mumbai gonna play Tim David against CSK. Thode din aur drop rakhna tha.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 6, 2022
