Cricket and cake might not seem like a match made in heaven, but for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), it’s the perfect recipe for team bonding ahead of their blockbuster IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings. In a delightful video shared by the franchise under their popular Bold Diaries segment, RCB’s dressing room turned into a battlefield of icing and laughter as they celebrated the birthdays of captain Rajat Patidar and mentor Dinesh Karthik. What started as a sweet gesture soon descended into an epic cake-smashing spree, with one moment stealing the spotlight and winning hearts across the cricketing world.
The video, aptly titled ‘An Absolute Smash Fest’, kicks off with the traditional birthday vibes—candles flickering, teammates clapping, and cheers ringing out. But in true RCB style, the celebration took a chaotic turn as players smeared cake on each other’s faces with reckless abandon. Birthday boys Patidar and Karthik bore the brunt of the sugary assault, grinning as they became the prime targets of their mischievous squad. The dressing room echoed with laughter as players darted around, plotting their next creamy ambush.
Amidst the sugary mayhem, the standout moment came from wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma. As the hilarity unfolded, England all-rounder Liam Livingstone cheekily dared Jitesh to smear cake on none other than RCB’s talisman, Virat Kohli. The suggestion left Jitesh visibly flustered, his nervous smile giving way to a priceless reaction. With folded hands, he comically pleaded to be spared from the risky mission, a gesture that sent the entire team into fits of laughter. The clip, now viral on social media, has fans raving about Jitesh’s humorous humility, with many dubbing it the highlight of RCB’s pre-final festivities.
While the cake chaos painted a picture of camaraderie, RCB remains laser-focused on the ultimate prize. The team is gearing up for their fourth IPL final appearance, set to clash with Punjab Kings at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Having finished as runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016, RCB is desperate to clinch their maiden IPL title. Under Patidar’s leadership, they’ve been in scintillating form, particularly after their dominant performance in Qualifier 1 against PBKS, where they bowled out their opponents for a paltry 101 before chasing it down in just 10 overs—a statement of intent from a side hungry for glory.
Patidar, speaking at the pre-final press conference, emphasized the emotional weight of the match, especially for Virat Kohli, who has been the face of RCB since the IPL’s inception in 2008. ‘Virat has given so much to this franchise over the years—winning the title would mean the world to him and to our loyal fans,’ Patidar said. Kohli, who holds the record for the most runs in IPL history with over 7,500 runs across 15 seasons, has yet to lift the coveted trophy, adding an extra layer of motivation for the team.
On the other side of the pitch, Punjab Kings are riding high on momentum after a nail-biting victory in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians. Led by a breathtaking unbeaten 87 off 41 balls from Shreyas Iyer, PBKS chased down a daunting total to secure their spot in the final. This marks only their second appearance in an IPL final, having lost their first in 2014 to Kolkata Knight Riders by 3 wickets. With a revamped squad and a burning desire to avenge their Qualifier 1 loss to RCB, Punjab Kings are poised to challenge for their maiden title.
As the IPL 2025 final looms, the contrast between RCB’s lighthearted celebrations and their steely on-field resolve paints a compelling narrative. Will Jitesh Sharma’s viral moment inspire a spirited RCB to finally break their title drought? Or will Punjab Kings rewrite their history with a triumphant roar? One thing is certain: Tuesday’s showdown promises to be a clash of titans, blending raw emotion, fierce competition, and perhaps a sprinkle of cake-fueled cheer.