Tim David has been fined 30 per cent of his match fees after breaching the IPL code of conduct during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s dramatic win over Mumbai Indians in Raipur on Sunday. The Australian batsman was also awarded two points for what the IPL described as an “obscene, abusive or insulting” gesture during the heated clash.
The incident took place after one of the most dramatic finishes of IPL 2026 where RCB sealed a last-ball thriller to strengthen their push for the playoffs while effectively ending Mumbai’s hopes of qualifying. The IPL later confirmed the punishment in an official statement issued after the game.
IPL, RCB vs MI: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
“Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Tim David has been fined 30% of his respective match fee and also accrued two points for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Officials,” the statement said.
“Tim was found to have breached Article 2.6 of the IPL Code of Conduct which relates to ‘using an obscene, offensive or insulting gesture.’ The team admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma.
David, who had previously spent three seasons with Mumbai Indians before joining RCB during the 2025 auction, did not make much of an impact with the bat in the match after being dismissed for a first-ball duck.
However, it later appeared to be caught on camera The Australian made the go-between gesture shortly after RCB completed the dramatic win, with clips that quickly go viral across social media.
The gesture reportedly came amid emotional celebrations inside the RCB camp after the defending champions somehow escaped with victory in the final.
WHAT DID TIM DAVID DO DURING RCB VS MI?
As the tension came to a head in the final moments of the match, eagle-eyed fans saw David seemingly making an attacking hand gesture after the winning moment.
THE TIM DAVID MIDDLE FINGER INCIDENT
Yesterday, Tim David showed his middle fingers towards Mumbai Indians after RCB beat them
Tim David played for Mumbai Indians for 3 years. He was supposed to be the next big thing for MI but his performances were not good enough. pic.twitter.com/FgRZTWOnvo— Indian Cricket (@IPL2025Auction) May 11, 2026
The visuals quickly went viral online and many fans speculated that the reaction came immediately after RCB secured the win.
The IPL eventually reviewed the incident and fined the Australian all-rounder under Article 2.6 of the league’s Code of Conduct, which specifically deals with gestures deemed obscene, offensive or offensive.
David pleaded guilty and accepted the punishment handed down by match referee Amit Sharma.
The incident added another dramatic twist to what has already become one of the most intense matches of the IPL 2026 season.
HOW RCB CONTINUED MY RAIPUR THRILLER
The clash itself turned into a ready-made roller coaster.
After Bhuvneshwar Kumar tore through the top order with a fiery spell, Mumbai Indians looked in trouble early on. The veteran pacer dismissed Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav during the Powerplay to put MI under immense pressure.
But Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir rebuilt the innings before late pressure helped Mumbai reach 166.
RCB’s chase then soon collapsed as Virat Kohli fell for a duck alongside the quick dismissals of Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar.
That was when Krunal Pandya produced arguably the defining innings of the season.
Battling cramp and constant pressure, Krunal smashed 73 off 46 balls to drag RCB back into the match before there was late drama in the final as Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit a decisive six and Rasikh Salam Dar completed the winning run off the last ball.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
11 May 2026 22:12 IST
