IPL 2023 | Virat Kohli had niggle on his knee but nothing serious, assures Sanjay Bangar

Royal Challengers Bangalore were eliminated from the IPL 2023 on Sunday after losing to Gujarat Titans by six wickets at Chinnaswamy Stadium. They rode on Virat Kohli’s spectacular hundred to post 197/5, but Shubman Gill’s magnificent knock of 52-ball 104 helped the defending champions to see off the target with five balls to spare. While the RCB fans were disappointed after not getting the opportunity to lift the title in yet another season, many had concerns over Kohli, who left the field during the 15th over of GT’s innings after hurting his knee while taking a fine catch of Vijay Shankar.

There were rising tensions in the country because India are scheduled to play Australia in less than two weeks in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) at The Oval. Everyone knows what Kohli brings to the table, and his absence could be costly for Rohit Sharma and Co., given they are already without the injured duo of Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul. However, RCB head coach Sanjay Bangar, during the post-match press conference, gave everyone assurance that Kohli is ok, and the update led many supporters to take a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, he had a bit of a niggle in his knee. But I don't think there is anything serious,” Bangar said, as quoted by India Today. “Having scored two back-to-back hundreds within a gap of 4 days. He is somebody who not only wants to contribute with the bat but even when he is fielding. He did a lot of running around. 40 overs a couple of days ago and today, for 35 overs he was on the field. He was giving his best. So it is going to bother at some point but I don't think it's anything serious."

The playoffs of the IPL 2023 will get underway on May 23, with table-toppers Titans taking on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk in Qualifier 1. A day later, the same venue will host Lucknow Super Giants facing Mumbai Indians in Eliminator.