Virat Kohli was noticeably absent from the field during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, a development that immediately raised fitness worries ahead of the rest of the season. Kohli had earlier posted a steady half-century in the same day’s build-up, but an ankle problem kept him sidelined for the high-pressure chase. With Kohli watching from the RCB dressing room, Jacob Bethell was drafted into the outfield for the innings.
Quick facts
- Virat Kohli missed the field during the MI chase due to an ankle issue.
- Earlier in the day, Kohli made 50 off 38 balls.
- Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma also left the field with a hamstring injury during the same match.
- Kohli’s day included a landmark: first player to reach 1,000 runs versus Mumbai Indians.
- RCB reached 240/4 in 20 overs, led by contributions from Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar and David.
Adding to the concern, Rohit Sharma—presenting a different kind of injury scare—had to step away after sustaining a hamstring injury. The coincidence of both Kohli and Rohit dealing with fitness niggles during the same fixture has left supporters watching closely for updates on their availability for upcoming games.
Kohli’s milestone day
Earlier, Kohli produced the kind of controlled innings that builds big totals in T20s, becoming the first batter to reach 1,000 runs against Mumbai Indians. In that knock, he anchored one end while Phil Salt and RCB captain Rajat Patidar struck through the powerplay and beyond, with Kohli finishing with 50 off 38 deliveries. His innings featured five fours and a single six, at a strike rate of more than 131.
Against MI specifically, Kohli has now amassed 1,030 runs across 36 innings, carrying an average of 32.18 and a strike rate of 129.23. His best score in that matchup is 92 not out, and he has registered seven fifties versus the Mumbai franchise.
Looking at his IPL form for this season up to that point, Kohli had 179 runs in four innings, averaging 59.66. His strike rate stood at 162.72, and the tally included two half-centuries, with a top score of 69 not out.
At the Wankhede Stadium, Kohli’s numbers also underline his familiarity with the venue. In 23 matches and innings there, he has compiled 888 runs at an average of 55.5 and a strike rate of 148.49, including nine fifties and a best effort of 92 not out.
Partnerships and RCB’s 240/4
Kohli also underlined his playmaking impact through a century stand with Phil Salt. That was his 47th century partnership in T20 cricket—the most by any batter in the format—surpassing Chris Gayle, who had been involved in 46 such century stands.
RCB’s total was built through a sequence of big contributions. Salt and Kohli combined for a 120-run partnership, with Salt scoring 78 from 36 balls, striking six fours and six sixes. Kohli then linked up with Rajat Patidar for a 65-run stand, where Kohli made 50 off 38 balls (five fours and one six) and Patidar added 53 from 20 deliveries (four boundaries and five maximums).
David provided the late acceleration as well, finishing with 34 not out from 16 balls, including two fours and three sixes. Those bursts of hitting propelled RCB to a commanding 240/4 in their 20 overs.
