Virat Kohli injury update: RCB star's comeback timeline for IPL 2026 revealed

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been exciting to watch as some of the top teams have been underperforming, and the underdogs are cruising this season of the tournament. The league has suffered some injuries even before the tournament began, and during match no.20 between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), star batter Virat Kohli was also injured.

The former RCB captain did not take the field during the MI vs RCB game on Sunday. There was a report of him down with fever, and also, there was an ankle issue for the former India skipper. Thus, he was impacted out during the game. Now it has been reported that Virat Kohli has not travelled with the team back to Bengaluru.

Virat Kohli is in Mumbai

The 37-year-old batter has stayed in Mumbai after his injury and is currently being monitored by the team physio. Reports suggest he is recovering from a fever while also managing ankle discomfort, which appeared to trouble him during the last match against MI. It is believed that Virat will be missing the next game of RCB against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

The match is scheduled on Wednesday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. This is the second-to-last home match for RCB, as they will play only five games in Bengaluru and then travel to Raipur for their final two home games of the IPL. The team management is monitoring his recovery before making a final call on his availability for the upcoming fixture.

He (Kohli) will be fine- Krunal Pandya

Previously, speaking in the post-match press conference, Krunal Pandya said that Virat Kohli will be fine, even though he did not speak to the team physio yet. “I’ve not spoken to the physio yet, but I think he (Kohli) will be fine. So, I guess nothing to worry," Pandya said. Rajat Patidar said, “I don’t know yet, but I feel that he’s okay right now."

Virat Kohli is a livewire on the field and is known for his aggressive approach towards his opponents. He never lets the team look down, even in tough situations, though he has left the captaincy, but he still leads the side from the field and helps Rajat Patidar with his decisions as well.

Kohli set to miss his first match in 8 years

If Virat Kohli misses the match, it will be a rare instance, as he has not missed a single match in the last 8 years. The last time he missed a match was back in 2017, when he had 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 fitness definition in fielding and cricket. A final decision on the former skipper’s availability is expected closer to match day, depending on his recovery from the fever and improvement in his ankle. The fans will hope that he is fit and makes a comeback, as he scored a fifty in his last game against MI.

Also Read: Pat Cummins injury update: Australia star’s IPL 2026 comeback date finally revealed