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

‘Trying to figure out of how to bat best in those conditions’ – Tim David opens up on succeeding at Chinnaswamy. (Photo source: IPL)

In the recent IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium,Tim David‘s unbeaten 50 off just 26 balls was the only bright spot in an underwhelming RCB innings, which were restricted to 95 for 9 in the rain-shortened 14-over match.

Despite the loss, David earned the Player of the Match award despite being on the losing side. After the match, David admitted he is still learning to adapt to the conditions at the Chinnaswamy, where the RCB team hasn’t found success in this season, with three consecutive losses.

“It didn’t feel so easy [to score quickly in those circumstances]. Definitely the boys that bat on top hand the [information on] the conditions back down, so I get a chance to see what the pitch is doing and try and play to that method. The practice pitches here have been kind of similar [to the main surfaces] and I’m trying to figure out a method of how to bat best in those conditions,” David said on the broadcast after the game as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

RCB suffered a disappointing collapse to Punjab’s clinical bowling, with the score reading 33 for 5 when David walked in. Openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli managed just five runs between them, and the middle order gave little help. David’s 26-ball innings was the longest he’s ever faced in an IPL match, and his first fifty in the league as well. Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara heaped huge praises on David’s clarity.

“It looked like he was aware of the lengths the bowlers were going to bowl, and he had a clear game plan – what kind of shots he wanted to play on that pitch. When you have clarity, it becomes easier. But yeah, he used this opportunity in his favour, and I’m sure his confidence will be boosted after this,” Pujara said.

Also Read: IPL 2025: What is the cutoff time for toss and match start in RCB vs PBKS clash?

Trust the coaches with my batting position: David

The Australian all-rounder also mentioned the importance of preparation in a competition like the IPL, where all 10 teams are of equal strength. He also pointed out if he gets more deliveries to face, he would hope to make a larger impact.

“Tonight was difficult, trying to get some messaging [about] what the plan was to bat out there in the middle, and get a bit of clarity because if we’d lost the last wicket the innings would be over. So you have to manage the risk a little bit. Our coaching staff and management have built the squad for a certain reason, with guys that bat in certain positions. I am pleased, I feel like I am batting well at the moment and can contribute. But I trust the coach for putting me in where I can. If I can get an opportunity to face more balls, like today when the team needed me to, it’s important to score runs. I won’t be asking too many of those questions [to the coaches],” he told further.

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