Ravichandran Ashwin Says IPL Teams Ignored Tim David Warning
Legendary India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that he had personally alerted several IPL teams before the mega auction to keep a close watch on Tim David, but his advice was dismissed. The big-hitting Australian was released by Mumbai Indians ahead of the auction and surprisingly did not attract much attention when his name came up. This allowed Royal Challengers Bengaluru to secure his services for just INR 3 crore — a deal that now looks like one of the smartest moves of the season.
It was Sunrisers Hyderabad who initially started the bidding for the power-hitter, but they backed out early in the process. RCB stepped in and grabbed him for what has turned out to be a bargain price. David went on to make a significant impact in RCB’s explosive batting order, producing a series of decisive knocks in the finisher’s role. He amassed 187 runs at a superb average of 62.33 while maintaining an eye-catching strike rate of 185.15, proving his ability to score quickly under pressure.
Ashwin shared the behind-the-scenes details on his YouTube channel, saying, “I shouldn’t say this but I told the decision makers of a few IPL teams to pick him before the last auction. They all said, ‘No, his game has dropped off drastically’. I believe the future of T20 cricket is going to be having tall batters with long lovers and strong build. They are going to rule the roost if there are no changes brought to the wide line.”
Tim David’s Incredible Form With Australia
Beyond his IPL exploits, the 29-year-old has been in blistering form for the Australian national team this year. He has smashed 265 runs in just five matches at a staggering strike rate of 212.00. His standout moment came against the West Indies, where he hammered his maiden T20I century in spectacular fashion. Recognising his potential and destructive power, the Australian team management has begun promoting him higher up the batting order to maximise his impact.
Ashwin lauded RCB for trusting David’s talent and securing him at such a low price, stating, “A player RCB picked up at base price (INR 3 crore) has taken his game to the next level. It’s good to see Australia sending him up the order. A real steal for RCB.”
The off-spinner’s foresight and RCB’s willingness to take a calculated gamble have highlighted the value of scouting and backing talent, even when others overlook it. David’s performances in both the IPL and international cricket this year have proven that such investments can pay off handsomely.
Stay tuned for all the latest Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, Cricket updates, match highlights, player analysis, and viral moments!
