The Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been exciting to watch as some of the top teams have been performing poorly, and the weaker teams have been making progress in this season of the tournament. The league has faced a few injuries before the tournament even started, and during match number 20 between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), star batsman Virat Kohli was also injured.
The former RCB captain did not take the field during the MI vs RCB game on Sunday. There were reports of him suffering from fever, and also, the former India captain was having an ankle problem. Thus, they were affected during the game. Now the news has come that Virat Kohli has not gone back to Bengaluru with the team.
Virat Kohli is in Mumbai
The 37-year-old batsman is staying in Mumbai after his injury and is currently being monitored by the team physio. Reports suggest that he is recovering from fever and is also struggling with the ankle problem which troubled him during the last match against MI. It is believed that Virat will not play in RCB’s next match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
This match is to be held on Wednesday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This is the second home match for RCB, as they will play only five matches in Bengaluru and then travel to Raipur for their final two home matches of the IPL. The team management is monitoring his recovery before taking a final decision on his availability for the upcoming match.
He (Kohli) will be fine – Krunal Pandya
Earlier, while speaking in the press conference after the match, Krunal Pandya had said that Virat Kohli will be fine, although he has not yet spoken to the team physio. “I haven’t spoken to the physio yet, but I think he (Kohli) will be fine. So I think there is nothing to worry about,” Pandya said. Rajat Patidar said, “I don’t know yet, but I think he is fine right now.”
Virat Kohli is an active player on the field and is known for his aggressive attitude towards his opponents. He never lets the team down even in difficult situations, even though he has given up the captaincy, he still leads the team from the field and also helps Rajat Patidar in his decisions.
Kohli will not play his first match in 8 years
If Virat Kohli misses the match, it will be a rare example, as he has not missed a single match in the last 8 years. The last time he missed a match was in 2017, when he suffered a shoulder injury and missed three matches. Kohli has been an inspiration for fitness and health for young cricketers over the years.
He changed the definition of fitness in fielding and cricket. A final decision on the former captain’s availability is expected closer to match day, depending on his recovery from fever and the improvement in his ankle. Fans will be hoping that he is fit and will make a comeback, as he scored a half-century in his last game against MI.
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