Virat Kohli has revealed that he has been struggling with health and fitness issues for the past several days after guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a comfortable five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL 2024 clash on Wednesday. The former RCB captain played a key role in the chase, scoring a fluent 49 off 34 balls as his team successfully chased down a modest 147-run target at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite falling just short of a half-century, Kohli’s innings included six boundaries and a six and reflected a return to rhythm after a relatively subdued outing against the Mumbai Indians earlier in the week.

Kohli’s strike rate in the match stood at 144.12, a noticeable improvement from his previous game, where he scored 50 off 38 balls against Mumbai Indians. However, after the match, he admitted that he is not at full fitness and has been battling both a sore knee and illness. He said these issues have affected his overall performance in recent days, though he was satisfied with his improved intensity and approach against LSG. The batter also acknowledged that while he started strongly, he would have preferred to convert his innings into a match-winning finish.

Speaking after the win, Kohli explained that he has been “under the weather” for around four to five days, which has impacted his energy levels on the field. He added that his knee discomfort also contributed to his struggles, making it difficult to maintain consistency throughout the innings. Despite these challenges, Kohli said he was happy with how he paced his innings and his ability to give RCB a strong start in the powerplay, helping set the tone for the chase early on.

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The batter also reflected on the nature of the pitch in Bengaluru, noting that it was slower than usual due to dry conditions and extreme heat over the previous days. He explained that the surface lacked the typical grass cover seen at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, making stroke play more difficult than expected. Kohli said the team adjusted its approach accordingly, focusing on building momentum early in the innings to avoid pressure in the chase.

Kohli further emphasized that the plan was to take control in the powerplay and put the opposition under pressure from the outset. He said that even though the pitch conditions were challenging, he was satisfied with how RCB executed their strategy and maintained control of the chase. According to him, the early momentum allowed the team to avoid any setbacks while chasing a relatively low total, even though he personally would have liked to stay unbeaten and finish the match.

The win marked an important moment for RCB as they continued their strong form in IPL 2026, with Kohli’s contribution once again proving vital despite his fitness concerns. His candid admission about his health has raised attention among fans, especially given his consistent performances under physical strain. While he continues to manage injury and illness concerns, Kohli indicated that he is focused on regaining full fitness and returning to his peak performance levels in the coming matches.

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