Virat Kohli deemed 'mastermind' after RCB transition into a 'proper team': 'Tim David is playing book cricket'

Former cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal praised RCB's transformation, highlighting Tim David's batting and Virat Kohli's strategic role.

Updated on: Apr 7, 2026, 20:18:42 IST

Written by HT Sports Desk | Edited by Probuddha Bhattacharjee

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Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali heaped praise on Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their power-hitter Tim David, comparing his explosive batting to “book cricket” during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026.

Virat Kohli during an IPL 2026 match between RCB and CSK. (PTI)

“RCB has become a proper team now. Initially, about 4-5 years ago, I felt that they had a weak bowling attack. Now, with their batting lineup, they have the likes of Jacob Duffy and someone like Krunal Pandya; these players have had a significant impact. The mastermind on the ground is Virat Kohli. The captain’s name may be Rajat Patidar, but Tim David, it is like book cricket, where you open the book, and it is either a four or a six. The manner in which he hits is amazing,” Basit Ali said on The Game Plan podcast.

MI’s Tim David release was surprising

Echoing similar sentiments, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal expressed surprise at the Mumbai Indians for releasing David and urged the RCB to retain him long-term.

“Credit goes to Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik. I was watching a few of their videos, and their planning seems to have started 1-2 months back, over what needs to be done now. What type of team did we need to make? I am shocked that MI released Tim David. I hope RCB use him for the next 10 years and not let him go,” Akmal said.

Akmal also highlighted the transformation in RCB’s squad, especially their improved balance. “The team that they have is also unbelievable. An amazing batting order. Phil Salt, Tim David, and Jitesh Sharma’s turn doesn’t even come. In the first 16 years, they compromised on their bowling. Now they have ended the compromise in bowling. It has become a different team altogether now,” he added.

He further praised Kohli’s evolving approach this season. “I think other teams will find it hard to beat them. Have you seen Virat Kohli’s batting approach? He’s become even more aggressive this season. Every year, if you observe, he’s preparing like one should in modern-day cricket. What does the team need? How should we play our cricket? Just look at his hunger and his approach,” he said.

With strong performances and a balanced squad, RCB appear to be one of the most formidable sides this season. They are set to face the Rajasthan Royals next in Guwahati as their impressive IPL 2026 campaign continues.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Probuddha Bhattacharjee
Probuddha Bhattacharjee is a sports writer and analyst with expertise spanning cricket, football, and multi-sport events, with a strong emphasis on data-driven journalism and tactical storytelling. He currently focuses on international cricket, the Indian Premier League, global tournaments, and emerging trends shaping modern sport, blending advanced statistics with strong narrative context to explain performance, strategy, and decision-making. His work aims to bridge the gap between numbers and storytelling, helping readers understand not just what happened on the field, but the tactical and structural reasons behind it. Trained in data journalism through the Google News Initiative (GNI) Data Journalism Lab, Probuddha works extensively with ball-by-ball datasets, performance metrics, and trend-based modelling to produce evidence-backed reports, explainers, and long-form features. His analytical approach focuses not only on outcomes but also on process—selection strategies, phase-wise tactics, workload management, and the influence of preparation and planning on match results. He is particularly interested in how statistical patterns reshape conventional cricketing narratives and provide clearer tactical insight for modern audiences. Beyond cricket, Probuddha has written analytical and news-driven pieces on football and other major sporting events, with a growing interest in sports governance, scheduling dynamics, and the economics of elite competitions. He also tracks how rule changes, franchise structures, and broadcast pressures influence the evolution of contemporary sport. He has previously contributed to platforms such as OneCricket, Sportskeeda, and CrickTracker, and continues to specialise in analytical storytelling, live coverage, and audience-focused reporting. His work prioritises clarity, context, and credibility, while consistently exploring innovative ways to present data through accessible narratives and structured match analysis.Read More

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