Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, match number 23, between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) has just concluded. RCB defeated LSG by 5 wickets with five overs to spare and moved to the top of the table. After the victory, Virat Kohli gave a speech while naming the Orange Cap.
Virat Kohli scored 49 runs in 34 balls and almost missed his half-century. The former RCB captain is in sensational form and has now scored 228 runs in 5 innings at an average of 57. Virat has scored two half-centuries in the season. He will look to add more runs under the belt and retain the orange cap for as long as possible.
Virat Kohli gave update on injury
Kohli also shared his update on the ankle issue, as the star batsman still believes that he is not fully fit. The former India captain also did not take the field due to injury and was used as an impact player in the game.
Virat said, “(How did it feel tonight?) Much better than the last game. I am still not 100%. I had a little pain in my knee in the last game. Even health-wise, I have been in this season for the last four or five days. So, just want to do my best. I started well today, so I am happy with my intensity. Again, I would love to continue and finish the game.”
The pitch has become very slow – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli also talked about the pitch being a bit dry and the conditions being hot and dry due to the absence of grass on the pitch. The former India captain also praised RCB’s batting unit.
Virat said, “Sometimes you have to take the conditions into account. The pitch had become quite slow and I probably wanted to carry on that way. But yes, in the end, probably should have finished that as well. (On the pitch) Yes, it was slower than usual. If you noticed, there was not enough grass on it. The last 3-4 days have been very, very hot.”
KP has not batted in any match yet – Virat Kohli
“It has also been very dry. So, we thought when we play at Chinnaswamy it will be a dry, slow wicket rather than one of those bare wickets which is sticky. So, it was different and so the idea was to push the game away from the opposition and take the game away from them in the first five-six overs.”
“I have to adapt my roles accordingly. It allows me to play a certain way with Salty. So we pass the baton very well in this team. And yes, just having the freedom of having Romario and Tim and … KP hasn’t batted in any games yet. So, we’re sitting on a batting unit that is explosive, that is working.”
After the win, RCB have moved to the top of the table and will play Delhi Capitals at home in their next match, which will be their final home match of IPL 2026 as they will play their last two home matches in Raipur.
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