Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli sparked fitness concerns on Sunday after an ankle injury sidelined him from the field during the second innings of a high-scoring encounter against the Mumbai Indians.

Despite the visual of Kohli remaining in the dugout throughout Mumbai’s pursuit of 241, RCB captain Rajat Patidar offered a cautiously optimistic update following the match. While admitting he lacked a full medical briefing, Patidar stated he believed the veteran batsman was "okay."

The Injury Timeline

The discomfort reportedly began during the first innings while Kohli was at the crease. He was observed receiving medical attention on his left leg during the 10th over, appearing to have suffered a minor twist or niggle.

Though he completed his batting duties, Kohli did not take the field for the defence of the total. Clad in a team jacket, he watched from the sidelines as a "precautionary measure" intended to protect him from further damage during the rigorous IPL 2026 schedule. Broadcasters, including Ravi Shastri, suggested that Kohli had been struggling with illness prior to the toss, which may have impacted his physical rhythm.

Leading the Charge

The injury did not prevent Kohli from delivering a foundational performance for Bengaluru. He anchored a formidable 120-run opening partnership with Phil Salt, who contributed 78 runs. Kohli eventually finished with 50 runs from 38 deliveries, providing the backbone for RCB’s massive total.

Status Updates

In the immediate aftermath of the match, both the team's leadership and fellow players moved to minimise concerns regarding the severity of the injury. Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar noted that while he had not yet received a definitive report, he believed the veteran batsman was "okay right now." This sentiment was echoed by teammate Krunal Pandya, who suggested that although he had not yet consulted with the medical staff, he anticipated Kohli "will be fine" and indicated there was "nothing to worry" about regarding his long-term availability.

A Night of Fitness Setbacks

Kohli was not the only high-profile casualty of the evening. The match saw a dual injury scare as former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma was forced to retire hurt during the sixth over of the chase. Sharma left the field after suffering a hamstring issue, compounding the fitness worries for two of Indian cricket's most prominent figures.