NEW DELHI: As the IPL 2025 gears up for an electrifying start with a marquee clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, an unexpected moment of hilarity has already captured the spotlight. Before a single ball is bowled, RCB’s explosive all-rounder Tim David turned a rainy day into pure entertainment, leaving his teammates and fans in stitches.
With Bengaluru’s unpredictable weather playing spoilsport, heavy showers drenched the stadium during RCB’s practice session on Friday. While most players scurried for cover, Tim David decided to embrace the downpour in the most playful way possible. Dressed in casual shorts, the Australian powerhouse sprinted across the field and executed a dramatic dive onto a water-logged pitch cover, splashing through the puddle like a kid at a water park. The impromptu act turned the gloomy rain delay into a viral moment, with teammates erupting in laughter and fans flooding social media with clips of the dive.
As David returned to the dressing room, drenched but grinning ear to ear, he was met with a roaring round of applause from his RCB mates, including captain Faf du Plessis and star batter Virat Kohli. The light-hearted moment showcased the camaraderie within the camp, providing a glimpse of the team spirit that has fueled RCB’s impressive campaign this season.
On the field, Tim David has been nothing short of a revelation for RCB in IPL 2025. In just 11 matches, the 29-year-old has smashed 186 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 93.00 and a strike rate of 194.00. His standout performance came with an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls earlier in the season, cementing his reputation as one of the most destructive finishers in the tournament. With such form, RCB will rely heavily on David to provide late-innings fireworks against a formidable KKR side.
As the league stage nears its climax, the IPL 2025 points table paints an intense picture of competition. Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are tied at the top with 16 points each from 11 matches, but Gujarat holds the edge with a superior Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.793 compared to RCB’s +0.482. Hot on their heels are Punjab Kings with 15 points (including one no-result) and an NRR of +0.376, while Mumbai Indians stay in contention with 14 points from 12 matches and a tournament-best NRR of +1.156.
Further down, Delhi Capitals cling to playoff hopes with 13 points and an NRR of +0.362, while KKR, with 11 points from 12 games and an NRR of +0.193, face a must-win scenario on Saturday. Lucknow Super Giants, languishing at 10 points with an NRR of -0.469, have a mountain to climb. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings have been officially eliminated from playoff contention, their campaigns derailed by inconsistent performances and poor NRRs.
As the IPL 2025 action resumes, all eyes will be on whether RCB can capitalize on their momentum and home advantage against KKR. But for now, Tim David’s hilarious puddle dive has given fans a moment to cherish, reminding everyone that cricket, at its heart, is as much about joy as it is about competition. Stay tuned for more updates from the IPL 2025—a tournament that never fails to surprise!