Tim David, the finisher for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has some thoughts on how to kick off their match against the Mumbai Indians (MI). He wants to see openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt send Jasprit Bumrah’s first ball straight to the boundary. David thinks this could make a strong statement as they prepare for the IPL 2025 showdown on Monday. It’s worth noting that Bumrah is back in action after spending about three months on the sidelines due to a back injury he picked up during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Because of this setback, he missed out on all competitive cricket, including MI’s first four games of the season. During his absence, MI struggled, losing three out of those four matches, which dropped them to the eighth spot on the points table. Meanwhile, RCB has managed to win two out of their first three games, putting them in a good position at third.
In a pre-match press conference, David acknowledged Bumrah’s reputation as one of the top bowlers around. He pointed out that facing challenges like this is what RCB aims for, especially if they want to go far in the tournament. If we want to make a deep run in this tournament, we need to beat the best teams and the best players,” he explained. David is hoping Bumrah opens the bowling for MI and that RCB can score some quick runs off him right away. If the first ball goes for four or six, it will send a message, he added, emphasizing how great it is to have Bumrah back on the field, as his presence makes the game more exciting.
David also had a little fun about how he’s planning to handle Bumrah’s fast deliveries, joking that he’d need to keep his toes out of the way to avoid getting hit by his dangerous yorkers. “He’s a fantastic bowler,” he remarked. When you perform well against top teams and players, it’s one of the best feelings as a player. There’s something special about facing the best, and I can’t wait for that challenge.
It’s also interesting to note Bumrah’s strong track record against RCB, having taken 29 wickets in 19 matches with a remarkable average of 19.03. David, who played for MI for three seasons from 2022 to 2024, actually hasn’t had the chance to bat against Bumrah in the IPL yet. They have faced each other briefly in T20 internationals, where David has scored 15 runs without getting out after facing 10 balls from Bumrah. This match is sure to be exciting, with both teams looking to gain the upper hand and prove themselves in this crucial moment of the season.
