IPL 2022 has been a forgettable season for Mumbai Indians, with the five-time champions finishing at the bottom of the table with just four wins out of 14 league matches. Now, big-hitting batsman Tim David admits that there was a disappointment when the desired result did not come.
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Mumbai’s season began with eight consecutive losses before securing a win against Rajasthan Royals on 30 April. Although they took three more wins, including a five-wicket win over Delhi Capitals to send Royal Challengers Bangalore to the playoffs, it was too late. The Rohit Sharma-led team will make changes in their campaign.
“There have been times when we wanted to get straight results, it has been disappointing. But it has also been rewarding in the sense that we have been challenged. Personally, I have been challenged,” David said in his statement. Said in a video posted by the franchise on social media accounts.
After being bought for Rs 8.25 crore in the mega auction in his first year for Mumbai, David was dropped after scores of 12 and 1 in the first two matches. He was eventually recalled to the playing XI by a win against Rajasthan and ended the tournament with an unbeaten 44 off Gujarat Titans, 46 off 18 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad and 34 off 11 balls against Delhi.
“I played a few games in the beginning and it was a great experience, playing for MI for the first time. First game in India. And then, I obviously sat down for the team combination. It is difficult to deal with as a player because you feel that you have something to offer to the team and you have to accept it. Try and support the teammates as much as you can,” said David on not getting much playing time in the first half IPL 2022.
He also revealed that he used this period to work hard on his fitness and skills. “I spent a lot of time in the gym, I probably could have done more than I could have been in the playing XI. I worked really hard on my batting, tried to be more stable at the crease and tried a more controlled swing. So I guess That I have become much stronger. I think I have improved a lot. It has been a really good period of development for me and also some experience on the field.”
David ended the campaign with 186 runs in eight matches at an average of 37.20 and a strike rate of 216.27. The 26-year-old admitted that it was tough to settle into a new team environment, but as the tournament progressed, he felt comfortable.
“In the beginning, when you first come across such an environment, you don’t know a lot of people. So, it can feel a bit rigid or structured. But as we progress through the tournament, you feel more comfortable with everyone we have with us as part of the MI team. You get to have somewhat different relationships with people. Spent a lot of time at the gym with Chappy (Paul Chapman). So it was good.”
He said youngsters like Ishaan Kishan, Tilak Verma and Ramandeep Singh are Mumbai players for future editions. “There are some young people who have some good enthusiasm. People like Ishaan (Kishan), he is a seasoned player, but he enjoys being around and getting a little energy from him. There can always be a little laugh. Another one that I like is Tilak. Having some fun with him. Ramandeep, they are all future players.”
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