Can Tim David make a difference to Australia's T20I batting line-up? Mahela Jayawardene weighs in
India Today
Tim David is all set to make his international debut for Australia in the upcoming 3-match T20I series in India. Mahela Jayawardene, who had coached him at Mumbai Indians, sheds light on what David can offer the Australian T20I team.
Sri Lanka great and former Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has backed Tim David to bring in the X-factor that will make Australia even more lethal when they begin their title defence at the T20 World Cup in Australia. Jayawardene said David is going to have a free run and he can perform without the burden of expectations in the lower-middle order for Australia.
Tim David is all set to make his international debut for Australia in the T20I series against India, starting September 20 in Mohali. David made his international debut for Singapore in 2019 and caught the attention of the world with his big-hitting prowess. The all-rounder played 14 T20Is for Singapore and scored 558 runs at a strike rate of over 150.
Tim David made a name for himself in franchise-based T20 leagues, playing in Australia, Pakistan, India among other countries. He was bought for a whopping sum of Rs 8.25 crore by Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022 auction.
The Singapore-born cricketer struggled to get going for Mumbai Indians, managing just 12 runs in his first two matches. He was dropped by Mahela Jayawardene but David returned to the side to prove his worth, finishing the season with 186 runs at a strike rate of over 200.
"Australia have a very, very good line-up and Tim is going to bring that little bit of x-factor if they want to use that at the No.6 role, which they need a big hitter and explosive hitter," Jayawardene told ICC.
"So, brilliant for Australia to fall back on someone like that, having those options."
Jayawardene was full of praise for David's attitude, saying the 26-year-old was not dejected when he was left out of the Mumbai Indians line-up after initial failures.
