Royal Challengers Bengalurupreparations of IPL 2026 hit a hurdle as a star finisher Tim David He continues to battle a recurring hamstring injury that has ruled him out Big Bash League (BBL) season. The Australian all-rounder, retained by RCB after an impressive IPL 2025, sustained a Grade 2 right hamstring strain on 26 December 2025. The Hobart Hurricanes‘ win Perth ScorchersHe was forced to retire after smashing 42 off 28 balls.
This marks his second such failure in IPL 2025 after a similar problem ruled him out of the IPL 2025 for two months and the main playoffs against RCB. While recovery charts suggest 4-6 weeks of rehabilitation for a standard grade 2 strain (potentially to coincide with the T20 World Cup in early 2026), complications could stretch it to 12 weeks and overshadow his IPL availability from late March. utility – backups to increase depth between staff needs such as speed on the outside. .
IPL 2026: 3 possible replacements for injured Tim David
- Michael Bracewell
New Zealand thoroughly Michael Bracewell Emerging as a flawless fit for RCB, dazzling with six wickets at a strike rate of 123.40 and an economy of 8.63 for 58 runs in five IPL games. In 44 T20s, he boasts 458 runs at a strike rate of 138.6, including 61 tallies, at an average of 17.85 paired with 20 wickets, highlighting his left-handed and nagging off-spin. Recent Vitality Blast exploits (91 runs, seven wickets) and Major League Cricket runs (241 runs at 128.19 SR) highlights his death-power and makes him ideal for RCB’s Chinnaswamy requirements.
Bracewell’s previous RCB stint reduces matchup risks and his international pedigree (T20Is vs India, Sri Lanka) adds to the tactical advantage. At a projected base price of under INR 2 crore, he offers value amid RCB’s wallet constraints, potentially filling overseas slots without breaking the bank.
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- Wian Mulder
South Africaof Wian Mulder brings raw T20 aggression, scoring 646 runs at a strike rate of 137.15 in 33 SA20 games with three fifties, complete with 10 wickets. His Vitality Blast record (546 runs at 131.25 SR, 12 wickets) shows consistency, while his short IPL outing with SRH (9 runs) points to untapped potential in the franchise format. Mulder’s right-handed batting matches David’s finishing form and his medium-pace bowling (a T20 economy of around 9) provides balance, particularly useful for turning Indian pitches.
With IPL 2026 exposure limited, Mulder could be a cheap overseas buy, allowing RCB to keep slots for pacers like Josh Hazlewood backups. His SA20 explosiveness (26 sixes) is suited to high-scoring spaces, positioning him as a top-order substitute should David slow down.
- Mahipal Lomror
The Indian all-rounder Mahipal Lomror Offering a thrifty, uncapped domestic solution, he scored 527 runs at a strike rate of 141.28 in 40 IPL matches between RR and RCB, including a 54* high and 30 sixes. His left-arm spin (one IPL wicket) adds variety, although batting remains his forte – evident in recent domestic T20s where he has thrived as a middle-order pacer. Lomror’s stint with RR and brief RCB exposure make him a low-risk, high-reward option for slots in need of Indian depth.
As an affordable option (probably less than INR 1 crore), Lomror frees up the wallet for the stars as Chinnaswamy delivers his sixes. His two-way skills mirror David’s utility, ensuring RCB remains competitive even if the Australian misses IPL 2026.
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