‘I’m still not 100%’: Virat Kohli’s blunt fitness admission after RCB win
Virat Kohli's unbeaten 49 steered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a five-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. Despite the match-winning knock, Kohli revealed he's still not at peak fitness, battling a sore knee and illness. He emphasised the team's adaptable batting depth and the importance of smart play as the IPL season progresses.
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli delivered yet another commanding performance with a 34-ball 49 to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a comfortable five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. Chasing 147, RCB cruised home in 15.
1 overs, with Kohli once again setting the tone at the top. Despite the match-winning knock, Kohli made a striking admission about his physical condition. “Much better than the last game.
I’m still not 100%. My knee was a bit sore last game. Even health-wise, I’ve been under the weather for four or five days now,” he said after the match, adding a stark reflection on his current state: he is “not even 10% yet” of where he wants to be in terms of fitness and rhythm.
The former India captain, who was seen training with heavy strapping on his left knee, struck six fours and a six in another fluent innings that took his tournament tally to 228 runs, putting him in the Orange Cap race. ‘Intensity was good, but I should have finished it’ Kohli said he was pleased with his start but admitted he missed an opportunity to close out the chase himself. “I started off well today, so I was happy with my intensity.