Rajat Patidar Provides Update on Virat Kohli’s Fitness After RCB’s Win Over MI
Mumbai — Following a strong 18-run victory over the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, Rajat Patidar, captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, offered a reassuring update on the fitness of senior batter Virat Kohli.
RCB bounced back strongly after a setback against the Rajasthan Royals, posting a massive 240/4, powered by half-centuries from Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, and Patidar himself. Despite a late counterattack from Mumbai Indians’ Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls, MI fell short at 222/5.
Kohli’s Absence Raises Concern
During the match, Kohli did not take the field and was seen sitting in the dugout wearing a jacket, sparking speculation about a possible injury concern. However, Patidar later addressed the situation and offered a brief but reassuring update.
“I do not know yet, but I think he is okay right now,” Patidar said, calming immediate concerns about the star batter’s availability.
Strong Team Effort in High-Scoring Thriller
Reflecting on the win, Patidar praised the team’s collective performance and the clarity within the batting unit, highlighting the strong start provided by Kohli and Phil Salt.
“Whenever we come here in Mumbai… the atmosphere, the fans, playing in a full-packed stadium — it’s a different feeling,” he said. “It was a pure team effort.”
He also acknowledged contributions from the middle order, including his own knock and a useful cameo from Tim David, which helped RCB maintain momentum throughout the innings.
Patidar on His Batting Form
Patidar also spoke about his approach to batting this season, clarifying that while he has often been associated with spin-hitting ability, he actually enjoys facing fast bowling more.
“To be honest, people used to say that I love playing spin, but I would say I love playing pace,” he said, adding that the Wankhede pitch suited stroke-making against quick bowlers.
His numbers this season underline his form, with 195 runs in four innings at an average of 65 and a strike rate above 214, including two half-centuries. He is currently among the leading run-scorers and six-hitters of the tournament.
RCB Maintain Winning Momentum
With this victory, RCB regained momentum in the IPL 2026 campaign, while Mumbai Indians continue to struggle after another high-scoring defeat. The franchise will now hope for clarity on Kohli’s fitness ahead of their next fixture, as they aim to build consistency in the coming matches.
