WATCH: Tim David Smashes 28 off Just 8 Balls as Australia Register Thrilling Win in Chase of 216 vs NZ

Australia’s Tim David was in no mood to relax ahead of the T20 World Cup. He has been in fine form in T20Is recently and he once again guided the Aussies to a thrilling victory against New Zealand in the series opener at Wellington.

The 2021 T20 World champions had one man to thank, for helping deliver a sensational win and it was David. The 27-year-old has earned quite a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the shortest format. He is also considered among the best finishers as well. In the final over, it was David’s batting exploits once again proved to be the game-changer.

The batter had an explosive cameo scoring 31 runs in just 10 deliveries, laying to waste a great effort from New Zealand. The hosts had scored 215 after opting to bat first thanks to the second-wicket stand of 113 in 64 balls between Devon Conway (63 off 46) and Rachin Ravindra (68 off 35). The Kiwis posted a mammoth target of 216 but Australia ran away with the win after David hit a boundary off the final ball.

Australia required 44 runs from their final three overs when wicketkeeper-bat Josh Inglis was dismissed, to leave the visitors at 172 runs at the loss of four wickets.

Adam Milne bowled the penultimate over and was spot on with his first three deliveries, giving away as many singles. The Aussies needed 32 runs from nine balls, which seemed a lot given that the momentum was with the hosts. Tim David though had other plans.

READ MORE: NZ vs AUS 1st T20I: Skipper Mitchell Marsh and Tim David Clinch Last-ball Thriller as Australia Win by Six Wickets

He hit Adam Milne for a boundary and two sixes in the final three deliveries of the 19th over to put the pressure back on New Zealand. Now, the Mitchell Santner-led side were left with defending 16 runs from the final over, which was bowled by Tim Southee.

After giving away just four runs in the first three balls, Australia required 12 runs with Tim David on strike. He blasted Tim Southee for a six over fine leg, with the 35-year-old failing to keep his line and length in check.

The penultimate ball saw Mitchell Marsh and David taking a couple. On the final ball, David showcased the power of his bottom hand as he whipped a fullish delivery on the stumps towards the cow corner region for a boundary beating the fielder there as well to give them the win.

READ MORE: ‘Don’t Think It’s a Problem With Youngsters’: Gill Contradictory View on Rohit’s ‘Humble’ Take on Jaiswal

In four T20Is in 2024, Tim David has scored 140 runs remaining unbeaten in all four innings (37* off 17, 31* off 14, 41* off 19, 31* off 10).

Tim David’s form is also a great sign for Mumbai Indians, his IPL franchise, as well as Australia ahead of the all-important 2024 T20 World Cup, which will be played in the USA and the West Indies.