Royal Challengers Bengaluru will start next season without middle-order hitter Tim David, after the Australian collected a third code-of-conduct strike during Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad.
The incident happened “during the 10th over of Gujarat Titans’ innings. Following the fall of a wicket [Jordan Cox’s catch off Washington Sundar ruled not out], David threw an ice bag aggressively in the direction of umpire Nitin Menon,” the IPL’s statement read. Match referee Javagal Srinath found the 30-year-old in breach of Article 2.9, which covers “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.”
Because it was David’s third offence of the 2026 campaign, the sanction automatically turns into a one-game suspension. The all-rounder admitted the charge and, according to the release, “accepted the sanction imposed”.
RCB went on to chase down 164 with five wickets and seven balls to spare, lifting back-to-back titles for the first time. Skipper Faf du Plessis praised his side’s composure, though he acknowledged the flare-up was “out of character for Tim and something we’ll address quietly”.
Former India quick Zaheer Khan, speaking on television duty, felt the penalty was fair: “You simply can’t allow frustration to spill over at the umpire. One match on the sidelines sends that message clearly.”
David’s absence next April will open a middle-order spot—possibly for local finisher Suyash Prabhudessai—yet RCB will hope the matter ends here. As bowling coach Adam Griffith noted, “We’ve built a calm dressing-room. Tim knows that, and I’m sure he’ll come back fresh.”
Demerit points are wiped at season’s end, so David begins 2027 with a clean slate once he has served the ban.
