Tim David – Aussie by background, Mumbai Indians by choice and six hitter by habit!
Looking for Tim David? Get all the information of his performance in ODI, T20, IPL & personal info about Age, height & latest ICC Rankings.
T20 Cricket sure likes a big hit every now and then. Perhaps it may not be wrong to say that it is the big ticket seller after all. It’s what drives the crowds into the stadia from all over the world.
But what’s even better is if there’s a big hitter behind a big hit. Such a sight is captivating, hard to get one’s eyes off from. Though what truly becomes a spectacle is if the big hitter behind the big hits is a big man himself.
In the past, we’ve seen the likes of Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard smash ‘em all. We’ve been entertained by Chris Morris and Albie Morkel.
And now, in the sixteenth year of the Indian Premier League, it appears that a new big hitting monster has emerged on the horizon.
Born in Singapore, playing for Australia and as far as his current and recent exploits are concerned, then entertaining one and all from the Mumbai Indians stable, Tim David, it appears, is here to stay.
Last year, when the Mumbai Indians, unarguably a side with a massive purse, spent INR 8.2 crore from their wallet on Tim David, many were surprised while many others got the sense of it all.
A thing was loud and clear that given his recent exploits that ran up to the previous twelve months, whether for Perth Scorchers or for any other T20 contest, Tim David was fast emerging as a highly watchable finisher.
And where his recent IPL performances in the ongoing 2023 edition stand, it’s becoming even more evident as to why some biggie like a Mumbai Indians, multiple IPL crown winners, spent a massive heap of sum on a cricketer that had no prior first class appearance before breaking into the world’s most famous T20 league.
What’s hugely interesting about Tim David’s approach to T20 cricket, the sport’s most saleable currency isn’t just down to his see-the-ball-hit-the-ball approach, which is utterly uncomplicated.
It’s perhaps down to the fact that David hardly looks pressed or pressured enough so as to completely buckle down under pressure.
At least, that is the feeling that one gets upon casting an eye on the recent exploits of Mumbai Indians’ hitting giant, even as Tim David, let’s face facts, is just in his second season of the IPL.
Where his most recent outings with the bat are concerned, then the lad stationed in at the lower order, has only been dismissed once in the last four games.
Most recently, in the high octane run chase against Punjab, where it were Mumbai who played like the kings, Tim David hit an unbeaten 19 off 10 with three thuds to the fence for a four.
In some ways, it was an ideal sight to see two young Mumbai Indians- David and Tilak- taking the side over the line; cricketers in whose hands rest a massive responsibility of forming the next chapters of the super famous franchise.
37, lest it is forgotten, were still needed off the final four with Surya and Ishan back in the hut.
But what truly heralded Tim David, who by the way is also a safe pair of hands down in the outfield, especially the boundary saving region of the ground, is his feat against the Rajathan Royals.
He didn’t just hit those 45 unbeaten runs, he smashed Rajasthan, toyed with a world class bowler, widely considered a massive all rounder, and in the process revived fledgeling hopes of Mumbai’s chances in the contest.
No fanboy speak this; but for times to come, the die hard MI supporter will always rave about the unbeaten 45 that came off just 14 deliveries at an astonishing strike rate of 321.
The icing on the cake on this occasion, though were three consecutive sixes thudded against Jason Holder, who perhaps battered by David and the pressure of the occasion, could do no better than bowl three full tosses on the bounce.
What did bounce, however, but only behind the boundary line was the white ball soon as it was hammered from the unsparing blade of Tim David.
Comparisons, not long after authoring an epic final over chase, inadvertently drew David closer to Pollard, his famous MI senior.
What a sight it must’ve been for not just Pollard but the Hitman Rohit himself to see a youngster rising through the ranks!
At 27 with sheer power and the desire to perform well for his stable, Tim David has begun nicely. Moreover, his six hitting streak, it appears has some of its best days ahead in the future.
But then, that’s just awful news for the bowlers out there.
