IPL 2026: ‘Missed a big chance’ - Fans react as Tim David refuses single, falls next ball

Apr 18, 2026 - 14:45

Tim David found himself as a talking point in Match 26 between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Delhi Capitals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Batting on 26, facing the bowling of Axar Patel in the 16th over, David pulled a length ball towards deep mid-wicket, but refused the single to Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker's end. David tried to slog the next ball to the fence, another length ball from Axar, which was top-edged to T Natarjan stationed at short third-man.

His decision not to run has become a talking point on social media, with discussions comparing his denial of the single to David Miller's denial of the single when Delhi Capitals needed two runs against the Gujarat Titans. Axar Patel, meanwhile, also finds himself praised for his decision to bowl the delivery wide, keeping it out of David's hitting arc.

Fans are expressed dissatisfaction on Jitesh's slow start, as he was batting at 3 off (8 when David was dismissed. Earlier, David became the second-fastest player to reach 1000 runs in the IPL in terms of balls, reaching the milestone in just 560 balls.

Here are the reactions to the moment on X (formerly Twitter):

15.1 – Tim David denied a single to Jitesh Sharma, who was batting on 3 (8)

15.2 – Tim David got out.

A few days ago, DC lost a match because David Miller refused to take a single.

Despite having so much experience in cricket, I don’t understand why players don’t understand… pic.twitter.com/kQcqStpW82 — TEJASH (@Tejashyyyyy) April 18, 2026

Jitesh Sharma test knock costed us the wicket of Tim David, he is not even able to time the ball.#RCBvsDC — Kunal Kohli (@imkunalkohli) April 18, 2026

Tim David made the same error David Miller did by turning down a run and then getting the team in trouble but no one will say anything... #IPL2026 #RCBvDC — Tlotliso Mphuthi 🇿🇦🇮🇱🇱🇸 (@TlotlisoM_) April 18, 2026

Blame tuk tuk Jittu for Tim David Wicket.

⏩Not full enough to disappear, but just wide enough to deceive. The lack of reach proves fatal, as the resulting leading edge ends David’s stay at the crease.

- Jitesh doing tuk tuk. Put pressure on David.
- Tim Denies Single. Had to… pic.twitter.com/AtNER4jk74 — AkCricTalks🎤🇮🇳 (@AKCricTalks) April 18, 2026

Tim David is clearly not happy. He knows he missed a big chance to score another 50+ innings. When you’re in that kind of form, missing out hurts even more. pic.twitter.com/NTtQLUob7F — SARPANCH (@ElevateUrMind4) April 18, 2026

Tim David denied a single to Jitesh on 15.1 as Jitesh was struggling with 3(8), wanted to keep strike and take on Axar himself.
Axar read it perfectly. Bowled it wide outside the hitting arc and caught at short third by Natarajan. Smart bowling from Axar.#RCBvsDC #IPL2026 — TechieOnThePitch (@TechOnPitch) April 18, 2026

CAPTAIN AXAR OUTSMARTS TIM DAVID!
◾ David denies single… falls next ball - huge moment 😬
◾ Axar Patel wins the duel with smart bowling - David departs frustrated!
◾ H2H: 64 off 49 balls, 3 dismissals (SR 130.6) 📊 #RCBvDC #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/WgahP0Dpkz — Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) April 18, 2026