Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Tim David believes Virat Kohli’s recent dip in form never showed up in his batting habits or body language. Ahead of RCB’s IPL 2026 meeting with Punjab Kings, David said the India great’s mindset and reliable standards have continued to influence the franchise’s tempo, even after a couple of quiet outings.
Quick facts
- Tim David said Virat Kohli did not appear to be affected by a lean patch earlier in the season.
- Kohli responded to recent low scores with a match-winning century against Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous game.
- David said RCB’s strong season has come through multiple contributors rather than one individual alone.
- RCB are currently first in the points table with 16 points from 12 matches.
- RCB can confirm a playoff spot if they beat Punjab Kings in their upcoming match.
David pointed out that Kohli’s struggle, including two ducks, was only evident if you were following closely outside the ground. In his view, Kohli’s approach looked steady, and the century that came against KKR ultimately turned the attention back to his impact.
“To be honest, he doesn’t change,” David said during the build-up. “You wouldn’t have known he had two ducks unless you’d been watching TV or something else. It was great for him to score a hundred, great for all of our fans to see that, and it was a match-winning performance.”
The Australian power-hitter also stressed that RCB’s momentum has been built on collective performances. For him, the season’s outcomes have been shaped by different players stepping forward at different times, keeping the side competitive even when specific match-ups demand adaptation.
“We’ve had so many people in our team stepping up this season. Hopefully it’s him again or someone else, but we’re feeling pretty good,” David added.
Top-order freedom and calm roles
David praised RCB’s top order for playing with confidence and creating a platform for the rest of the batting unit. He suggested that when the early overs are handled with intent, the middle order can bat with more clarity—staying composed while executing their assigned roles.
“At the top, we have some really classy players,” David said. “Those guys play good cricketing shots; they make themselves feel confident to play aggressively and express themselves with the depth we’ve got.”
He acknowledged, however, that some lower middle-order batters do not always get enough time at the crease. The reason, in his words, is the way the top group keeps delivering consistently, which can limit opportunities lower down the order.
“We’ve certainly got guys that don’t get enough batting time as much as they’d want because we’re watching the guys put on a clinic at the top,” David noted.
David on his own form and pressure thinking
Turning to his own batting, David said he is satisfied with how he has been striking the ball across the season. His focus, he added, is on being ready to contribute whenever the team calls on him, rather than chasing individual milestones.
“To be honest, I’m just looking forward most of the time. I feel like I’ve been batting really well the whole season. I just want to put in performances for the team. I’ve been hitting the ball really well in training consistently, and hopefully when I get the chance in the middle, I can do whatever the team needs,” he said.
David also highlighted the importance of composure and sound decision-making when matches tighten. For him, the key is staying calm at the right moments and then committing decisively once the opportunity appears.
“It’s just about decision-making, being calm, and making the right choices at the right moments. Then obviously, when we get the chance to put our foot down, we try and do that to the best,” he added.
On the league table, RCB are currently at the top with 16 points from 12 matches. They will move closer to the postseason if they defeat Punjab Kings, a win that would confirm their playoff qualification.
