Virat Kohli briefly raised alarms for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Indian supporters during their win over Mumbai Indians when he was not seen taking the field, with reports suggesting he was managing an ankle issue. That absence naturally sparked questions about how much the problem could disrupt his season plans. The worry, however, looks to be easing as Kohli appears set to be available for RCB’s next fixture against Lucknow Super Giants, having turned up for practice at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the lead-up to the clash.
In a clip shared by LSG on social media, Kohli is shown working on the Chinnaswamy track in training gear. He is seen greeting Rishabh Pant and LSG mentor Kane Williamson during the session. The only lingering point for RCB fans is that Kohli is still not operating at full capacity, with visible strapping on his leg during parts of the workout—an indication that he is managing the ankle rather than treating it as fully recovered.
At Wankhede Stadium in the MI encounter, Kohli struggled to find his usual rhythm and timing in a match that produced plenty of runs. He made 50 off 38 balls before being dismissed, a knock that came with the added context of his fitness concerns. Even if the injury contributed to his difficulty, RCB will be aware that they cannot rely on excuses from a player of Kohli’s stature, especially in a tournament where margins are thin and impact matters every time a batter walks out.
There is also a tactical angle that could soften the blow for RCB. The Impact Player rule may allow Kohli to conserve himself during the bowling phase and only come in when required to bat, potentially helping him manage his workload while still being available for key moments. While his usual intensity and leadership in the middle overs may be harder to replace with the ball in hand, the framework of the rule could help RCB balance preparation with performance, keeping their overall XI stable for the start of the campaign.
Kohli was not the only India star nursing an injury in that MI game. Rohit Sharma had to retire hurt after suffering a hamstring strain. The encouraging part for both franchises is that the latest expectation is that Rohit’s issue will not sideline him for a long stretch, with both batters likely to return to their respective setups sooner rather than later.
RCB now head back to Bengaluru for their match against Lucknow, a side that has shown both flashes and inconsistencies. Lucknow’s momentum has been boosted by contributions such as Mitchell Marsh, Mukul Choudhary, and a bowling unit anchored by Mohammed Shami. Still, taking on the defending champions demands their best cricket level from the first ball to the last, something RCB have found difficult to deliver with regularity over the past year or so in the tournament.
