Ananya Lohia , Ahmedabad - Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Tim David has been handed a one-match suspension for the next IPL season after breaching the league’s Code of Conduct during the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans. The IPL on Monday fined the Australian 50 per cent of his match fee and added two demerit points to his record, taking his season tally to five and triggering an automatic suspension.

The IPL said David was found guilty of a Level 1 offence under Article 2.9 of the Code of Conduct, which prohibits players from throwing a ball or any cricket equipment in an inappropriate or dangerous manner during a match. The incident took place during the 10th over of the first innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium when David allegedly threw an ice bag aggressively in the direction of umpire Nitin Menon following the fall of a wicket. David accepted the offence and the sanction imposed by match referee Javagal Srinath. According to IPL regulations, accumulating five demerit points in a season results in a one-match suspension. David had earlier received one demerit point in Match 20 and two more in Match 54 before picking up another two points during the final.

As a result, David will miss the opening match of IPL 2027, either for Royal Challengers Bengaluru or whichever franchise he represents next season. The disciplinary development came shortly after RCB celebrated a historic achievement. Led by Rajat Patidar, Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final to clinch their second consecutive IPL title. Chasing 156, Virat Kohli anchored the innings with an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls as RCB completed the chase with two overs to spare.

While RCB ended IPL 2026 on a historic high by successfully defending their title, David’s suspension added an unwanted twist to the celebrations. The Australian batter’s costly lapse now means he will begin the next IPL season on the sidelines.