Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Tim David has received a significant punishment following a breach of the IPL Code of Conduct during the IPL 2026 final, with the league imposing a one-match ban and a fine equal to 50% of his match fee. The incident came in RCB’s five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, a match in which David contributed 24 runs from 17 balls.
The disciplinary action was triggered by David being found in violation of Article 2.9 of the Code of Conduct. The clause covers conduct involving “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Team Official, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during a Match.” After the ruling, Match Referee Javagal Srinath applied the sanction because David admitted the offence and accepted the proposed penalty.
The incident occurred in the 10th over of Gujarat Titans’ innings. After a wicket was taken, David threw an ice bag towards on-field umpire Nitin Menon. That act, judged to fall under the Code of Conduct provisions, is what led to the fine and the suspension.
For David, it was also the third Level 1 offence of the season. Earlier in IPL 2026, he had already been issued one demerit point in Match 20 and two demerit points in Match 54. The latest charge resulted in a further two demerit points, bringing his total tally to five.
Under IPL rules, reaching five demerit points triggers a one-match suspension. As a result, David will miss the opening game of IPL 2027, regardless of whether he remains with RCB or moves to a different franchise for the upcoming season.
Despite the ban ruling after the final, David’s overall IPL 2026 campaign ended on a strong note. He finished the tournament with 305 runs across 16 matches and was part of the RCB squad that successfully defended the title. His suspension, however, will ensure he starts the next season watching from the sidelines.
RCB’s triumph over Gujarat Titans also added another chapter to IPL history. The win marked only the third time a team has retained the championship, following Chennai Super Kings’ back-to-back wins in 2010 and 2011, and Mumbai Indians’ consecutive titles in 2019 and 2020. It was also a landmark achievement for the Bengaluru franchise as they became the fourth outfit to lift multiple IPL trophies, joining Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, who have five titles each, and Kolkata Knight Riders, who have won three.
There was further record-making success on the captain’s front as well. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar became the first captain to win the IPL in each of his initial two seasons leading the side. He is only the third captain to achieve back-to-back IPL titles, joining MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma among the select group.
