IPL 2017: Virat Kohli will play for RCB against Mumbai Indians on Friday
What’s the story?
Royal Challengers Bangalore received a big boost ahead of the game against Mumbai Indians on Friday (April 14) as captain Virat Kohli has been declared fit to take part in the encounter. Kohli missed the fourth Test against Australia with a shoulder injury and he looks set to take part in his first game of IPL 2017.
In a statement, BCCI said: "The Indian Captain had undergone rehabilitation after sustaining an injury to his right shoulder and has now recovered to be able to participate in VIVO IPL 2017”.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Virat Kohli hints he could be back for RCB's home game against MI on April 14th
In case you didn’t know...
RCB began the season with none of their top three run-getters from IPL 2016. Although KL Rahul has been ruled out of the tournament, AB de Villiers returned in RCB’s last game against Kings XI Punjab and Virat Kohli who topped the charts last year with 973 runs at an average over 80 including four centuries is now set to play his first game of IPL 2017.
The heart of the matter
RCB had a lot of injury problems to contend with at the start of the season, especially with their top order all sidelined. Kohli’s injury meant that AB de Villiers was initially slated to take over as captain but after he too had a niggle, Shane Watson was handed the captaincy.
In three games under Watson, RCB have won one but lost two and will welcome back their inspirational skipper, whose return along with the presence of AB should give their batting an extra boost ahead of the game against Mumbai Indians.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Shane Watson reveals why Pawan Negi bowled last over to Rishabh Pant
What’s next?
Having lost their last game against Kings XI Punjab on Monday (April 10), RCB will be looking to bounce back with a win over Mumbai Indians who inflicted Sunrisers Hyderabad’s first defeat of IPL 2017 at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday (April 12).
Author’s Take
This is exactly the news that RCB have been waiting for after their terrible luck with injuries so far this season. The return of both Kohli and AB before the game against Mumbai will strengthen their batting and afford them more flexibility and options with the ball.