I'd fit him in really anywhere: Shane Watson wants CA to include Tim David in Australia's T20 World Cup squad

Singapore-born Tim David in IPL 2022 showed what he is capable of doing, if given enough opportunities to deliver. The 26-year-old was signed by the Mumbai Indians for Rs. 8.25 crore in the mega auctions. And the right-handed batter made the most of the chances that came his way in the second half to impress one and all.

David was dropped from the playing XI after he failed to deliver in the first couple of matches, but was again roped back in the later stages, and that’s where he showed his true potential by taking opposition attacks to cleaners and playing big shots with ease. He finished the season as the fifth-highest run-getter for the five-time winners by scoring a total of 186 runs that came at an average of 37.20 and an astonishing strike rate of 216.27.

His performance in the IPL helped him get recognition on a big stage, and ever since then, there have been talks about his involvement with the Australian team. He could soon make his debut for the defending World T20 champions. And according to former captain and star all-rounder Shane Watson, the country’s cricket board should find a way to get him into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup team as well.

Australia is scheduled to host the eighth edition of the men’s T20 World Cup later this year, and Watson feels that given the talent David has, he will give a big boost to Australia’s chances of retaining the World T20 title.

"If he’s (David) in the squad and he’s made himself available for Australia... then I’d fit him in really anywhere," Watson said of the versatile batter, who has largely come as a finisher but has also occasionally batted at number three.

"I hadn’t really seen much of him at all up until the IPL, and seeing what he did there was something that I hadn’t seen for a long time. For a young guy coming in and just dominating and just hitting the ball like I’ve never really seen much in the past... you’d just find a way (to pick him)," Watson was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"It’s hard with Australia being the defending champions … but with someone like that, the power that he has and the composure as well under pressure situations is something that’s very, very rare," he added.

The Australian white-ball captain, Aaron Finch, has already hinted that David is on the team’s radar and could soon get his chance to represent Australia at the highest level.