Virat Kohli's status for the game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday (April 18) at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru remains uncertain after he was used as an 'impact player' in the clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday (April 15). On the eve of the game, Australian star Josh Hazlewood addressed a pre-match press conference but cast doubt if Kohli will be able to play a full role.

Hazlewood confirmed that Kohli will play the match as a specialist batter but claims it remains to be decided if he can field. The pacer claimed he would want Kohli to take the field, as he is one of the best fielders on the team. He also claimed that Kohli is not someone that enjoys not taking the field.

"I'm not too sure, to be honest. I think he'll definitely play. It's just whether he's right to take the field. Probably fortunate we've got that spot. A lot of teams, can use it for someone who's coming back from injury or has a little niggle and they're priceless with their main skill.

But obviously I'd love to have him in the field. He's got great energy, one of our best fielders. I think it'd be pretty precautionary if you keep doing that impact player for as long as he needs to. But knowing him, he's not a great watcher of cricket. He loves to be out there and having the impact," said Hazlewood.

The game against LSG was the first time in his career that Kohli was used as an impact player by RCB. The 37-year-old did not take the field in the game against Mumbai Indians (MI) either. The 37-year-old revealed after RCB's five-wicket win against the Lucknow-based side that he had a niggle in his knee and was suffering from an illness.

"Much better than the last game. I'm still not 100%. My knee was a bit sore in the last game. Even health-wise, I've been under the weather for four or five days now. So, just getting back up to my best. I started well today, so I was happy with my intensity. Again, would have liked to carry on and finish the game off. Sometimes you have to take the conditions into account as well. The pitch slowed down considerably, and I just wanted to keep going in the same manner. But yeah, in the end, should have probably finished that one off as well,"said Kohli in a chat with Jiostar after the match.

Kohli played a key role in the victory over LSG with a knock of 49 in 34 balls as the defending champions chased a target of 147 with ease. The Indian cricket legend is currently the Orange Cap holder (before the start of today's GT Vs KKR match) with 224 runs in five innings at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 158.33. He has scored two half-centuries so far.

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Aayush Kataria is a Senior Copy Editor at Times Network with four years of experience, having started his career in the organisation. He is a key memb...View More

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