'Hates MI to the core': Fans react to Tim David's rude gesture after RCB knock Mumbai Indians out of IPL 2026

However, his time in Mumbai did not always go as either party had hoped, and he was not retained before the 2025 mega auction. His eventual departure made his appearance on the other side of this particular fixture all the more loaded.

Watching the franchise that once held his IPL future get knocked out of the tournament, while wearing a rival jersey, clearly brought something out of him for the second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, @bet_helll wrote: "Man Tim david really hates Mumbai Indians to the core, he really did that😭😭"

Tim David has set his eyes on the IPL trophy

Away from the viral moment, David spoke calmly about where RCB stand heading into the final stretch. He said the squad's experience helps them stay grounded, focusing only on what they can control rather than watching the table too closely.

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“You can obviously identify shortcomings from the games, but of course, you've got to back your strengths. That's what's put us in the position of playing so well so far this season. So try and go on with a clear mind and enjoy the match,” the Australian told the broadcasters ahead of the toss.

"I think we've got a very experienced playing group, and we understand what it takes to get to this stage of the tournament. And honestly, we're just focusing on ourselves. Well, we can control, and yeah, it's nice when you are at the top, but we want to regain that momentum, and we want to get stuck in."

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The Cricket News Opinion: Did emotions get the better of Tim David?

Whether David's gesture was directed at the franchise, a specific individual, or was simply a moment of raw emotion after a high-pressure game, only he knows.

What it does reveal is that professional sport carries personal histories that rarely disappear when the jersey changes. Not everyone leaves their old club on the warmest of terms, and sometimes, that shows.

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