IPL 2022 | ‘MI should’ve persisted with Tim David earlier,' feel Vettori, Ian Bishop

Tim David had a magnificent outing against Gujarat Titans as the swashbuckling right-hander smashed 44 runs off just 21 balls, thereby playing a significant role in Mumbai Indians’ second consecutive victory. The dynamic batter exhibited his extraordinary skills of hitting humongous sixes and bagged the Man of the Match award for his outstanding knock. 

David’s impressive finishing in two consecutive games has raised questions on MI’s decision to drop him after just two bad games in the earlier stage of the tournament. 

Daniel Vettori has opined that it was poor by the five-time champions to drop the 26-year-old after his initial failures. Addressing ESPN Cricinfo, Vettori termed it surprising to see a player of David’s calibre getting axed despite being match-fit. 

“That’s such an impressive innings. It’s Shami, it’s Lockie Ferguson. It all looks easy with those shots down the ground. Not one ball did he slog. So impressive to watch,” Vettori said. 

“I don’t think Tim David was injured or ill at the time. So, it would be fascinating to understand why the Mumbai Indians came to that decision to leave a player of his class out when they had two available (overseas) slots,” he further added. 

Ian Bishop has also agreed with Vettori stating that David earned his IPL contract after impressing everyone with his fantastic ability to hit nonchalant sixes in CPL and PSL. 

“Yes, they would have their reasons for it (not playing David), but when you have had the benefit to see Tim David in the Caribbean Premier League in really good touch, phenomenal ball striking, PSL - phenomenal ball striking. So, he came to this IPL on the back of very good form and really should have been given that chance to prove himself,” the 54-year-old Trinidadian concluded.