Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli, who has been in excellent form in IPL 2026, had to leave the field due to an ankle niggle during the match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. His fitness became a key talking point ahead of the upcoming clash against Lucknow Super Giants at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Josh Hazlewood, Jordan Cox, Nuwan Thushara, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhinandan Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal
Lucknow Super Giants Squad: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Yadav, Matthew Breetzke, Anrich Nortje, Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh, Mohsin Khan, Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Maharaj Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari.
[With TOI inputs]
Positive Signs from Training Session
Despite the injury scare, Kohli participated in the training session, where he was seen practising, engaging with teammates, and maintaining his usual lively presence. However, he was spotted with his left knee heavily strapped, raising some concern.Extended Net Session Eases Worries
Even with the visible strapping, Kohli spent considerable time in the nets and had a lengthy batting session, which helped ease immediate concerns about his availability for the next match.Impressive Form in IPL 2026
So far this season, Kohli has scored 179 runs in four matches at an average of 59.66 and a strike rate of 162.72. His performances include two half-centuries, with a top score of 69*.Strong Showing Against Mumbai Indians
In the previous match against Mumbai Indians, Kohli played a solid knock of 50 runs off 38 balls, hitting five boundaries and one six.Points Table Scenario
Royal Challengers Bengaluru currently sit third on the points table with six points. They trail table-toppers Rajasthan Royals by two points and are just one point behind Punjab Kings, while several other teams remain on four points.Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Josh Hazlewood, Jordan Cox, Nuwan Thushara, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhinandan Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal
Lucknow Super Giants Squad: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Yadav, Matthew Breetzke, Anrich Nortje, Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh, Mohsin Khan, Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Maharaj Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari.
[With TOI inputs]
