By Ian Chadband
Tim David had been searching for one of his finishing hurricanes for some time in the Indian Premier League – and when the storm finally arrived in Mumbai, it blew Rajasthan Royals away.
In another one of those IPL finishes that once seemed incredible but now passes almost as workaday, David needed 17 off the last over to give Mumbai Indians victory over the Royals on Sunday (Monday AEST). It took the Australian big hitter just three balls.
He walloped six, six, six to power the home side to a six-wicket win – and provide a fittingly dramatic end to the league’s landmark 1000th game.
All three came off calamitous full tosses from former West Indies captain Jason Holder, who appeared to be trying too hard to contain the Australian. He over-pitched his attempted yorkers, and watched in despair as the 27-year-old provided a trio of knockout punches.
“I’ve wanted to play an innings like this for a while,” said David, who was the highest-paid Australian in the 2022 season when he was snapped up by Mumbai for $1.53 million.
This was a dazzling demonstration of why the Singapore-born batter, now in his second season with Mumbai, was deemed worth the big bucks as he provided a ruthless, clinical finish to the Indians’ chase of Rajasthan’s 7-212.
Tim David celebrates with Tilak Varma. Credit: AP
It was the first time that a 200-plus total has ever been chased down at the Wankhede Stadium in the IPL.
The Royals had earlier been inspired by a remarkable knock from opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hit 124 off 62 balls – the highest in the league this year at an average of exactly two runs per ball – featuring eight sixes.
He scored 106 more than any of his colleagues, and even belted a short one from Jofra Archer out of the ground.
But on a belting pitch, it looked an attainable target, until David’s star Australian teammate Cameron Green fell for a sparkling 44 off 26 balls – including a couple of huge sixes – and Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 55 off 29 balls.
Tim David hits three sixes in the IPL.Credit: Twitter
When David came to the crease, 72 was still needed off 4.2 overs but, with help from Tilak Varma’s 29 not out off 21 balls, the West Australian hit the ground running to chase down the unlikely win.
Off just 14 balls, he changed the course of the match with five sixes and two fours in his 45 not out.
“In the final over, I tried to get in front and close the angle down, play good shots,” he said. “It was good to bat at the end. Amazing feeling to win like that.”
Earlier, in Chennai, the Super Kings were beaten in another dramatic finale by Punjab Kings’ Sikandar Raza, who guided his side to a four-wicket victory off the final ball.
Needing three off the final ball, the Zimbabwe batter pulled to the vacant square leg area and ran three to reach 6-201, earning a victory which had looked a tall order after New Zealand’s in-form Devon Conway had cracked 92 not out off 52 balls in Chennai’s 4-200.
AAP
