![Why RCB went after Tim David [Source: AFP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1754827223779_TimDavidbuybyRCB.jpg?type=mq)
Why RCB went after Tim David [Source: AFP Photo]
When Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) assembled their squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the team was heavily criticised for spending money on overhyped players, but the franchise proved everyone wrong by winning the coveted IPL title for the first time in their rich history. The batters, the bowlers, and the fielders, everyone clicked as the side ended the dry patch of not winning the title.
While the credit should be given to the entire squad for delivering the goods, a part of it should be given to the RCB think-tank who created the squad with a smart strategy, and filled in all the loopholes that was there in the previous season.
The RCB management - Dinesh Karthik, Mo Bobat, and Andy Flower should be given the flowers for delivering the goods, but here is an underrated business which they did during the IPL mega auction, and it helped them win the title (by acquiring David, Romario Shepherd).
On Sunday, David smacked a brilliant 52-ball 83 vs South Africa, and proved everyone why RCB wanted him in their squad.
Spending smartly to acquire Tim David
RCB has a rich history of spending excessive money on players who do not deserve it, but this time around, they played safe, they played smart, and invested in two superstar players to fill in the middle-order loopholes.
RCB already had Will Jacks on their side for the 2024 season, but eyebrows were raised when they let him go and bought Tim David to bolster the middle order. Prior to the 2025 season, David had an average IPL record, but it all changed in the 2025 season for RCB.
| Criterion | Data |
| Matches | 12 |
| Runs | 187 |
| Strike rate | 185.15 |
(Tim David stats in IPL 2025)
He was brought in to play the role of a finisher, and David did just that, as he struck at 185.15, and played several key innings to help RCB win the title. Who could forget his blistering fifty-run knock against Punjab Kings, when RCB was tottering at 42/7?. He also played a couple of great cameos, and was the crisis man for the side.
Interestingly, RCB only bought him for 3 crore, which turned out to be a steal. He showed glimpses of his brilliance in the first T20I Vs South Africa, as he once again turned the crisis man for the Aussies.
While the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, Ishan Kishan, and Marcus Stoinis failed to deliver after being bought for a huge price, RCB acquired a solid finisher for peanuts.
Just 1.5 crore to rope in Romario Shepherd
The team also strengthened the lower middle-order by bringing in Romario Shepherd on the side. It was another decision which was scrutinised, but Romario played arguably the innings of the tournament, when he smacked a 14-ball fifty vs the Chennai Super Kings.
It was the innings that gave new wings to RCB, as they needed to score a big total to challenge the Super Kings. In the finals against Punjab Kings, Shepherd dismissed the opposition captain, Shreyas Iyer, for a score of 1. This wicket tilted the game in RCB's favour, and helped them win the title.
| Criterion | Data |
| Matches | 8 |
| Runs Scored | 70 |
| Wickets Taken | 6 |
| Batting strike rate | 291..67 |
(Romario Shepherd in IPL 2025)
A strike rate of 291.67, and a game-changer with the ball, Shepherd justified his 1.5 crore price tag, as RCB played street-smart with his investment.
