Bengaluru, April 15 (NationPress) Virat Kohli acknowledged that he is not yet at full fitness, even after playing a pivotal role in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) convincing five-wicket triumph against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 23 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

In pursuit of 147 runs, Kohli emerged as the top scorer with an impressive 49, guiding RCB to complete the chase in just 15.1 overs, which propelled them to the top of the points table. However, the former captain disclosed that he has been grappling with a knee issue and illness in recent days.

“I feel much better than in the last match. I’m still not at 100%. My knee was slightly sore during the previous game, and health-wise, I’ve been feeling unwell for about four or five days. I’m just working on getting back to my best. I started off strong today, so I was pleased with my intensity. I would have liked to finish the game, but sometimes the conditions must be considered as well. The pitch slowed down significantly, and I aimed to maintain my momentum. In the end, I should have finished that innings as well,” he remarked to the broadcasters following the match.

Prior to this, RCB’s bowlers played a crucial role in securing the win by limiting LSG to 146 runs. Rasikh Salam Dar was exceptional, taking four wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed three wickets, effectively keeping the visiting team under control throughout their innings.

Kohli further elaborated on the pitch conditions, noting how they influenced RCB’s aggressive strategy during the powerplay.

“Indeed, the pitch was slower than usual. There was minimal grass on it, and the past few days have been extremely hot and dry. We anticipated a dry, slow wicket, unlike the tacky ones we encounter at Chinnaswamy. This led us to adopt an aggressive approach early in the game, which I believe was effective,” he explained.

Reflecting on the dynamics of T20 cricket, Kohli emphasized the need to adapt to varying situations.

“It truly depends on the circumstances and the conditions. Not every match will see scores of 230 or 240. The landscape of the game is evolving rapidly, and the demands of modern cricket are quite different. It’s essential to be mindful of the situation, particularly when under pressure,” he stated.

“We are still in the tournament's first half. As we move into the second half, matches will become more competitive, and pressure will increase significantly. When the freedom of play diminishes, that’s when strategic thinking becomes crucial, which I believe will benefit teams greatly,” he added.

Kohli is showing remarkable form this season, having accumulated 228 runs across five matches, and currently holds the orange cap.