Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers remain on the sidelines ahead of Bangalore's clash against Kings XI on Monday
Watson's hilarious RCB injury update
Mystery surrounds the return date of batting superstars Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers after stand-in Royal Challengers Bangalore Shane Watson provided an amusing update on their fitness overnight.
Watson has led RCB in both of their Indian Premier League matches so far this year with regular skipper Kohli (shoulder) and South African star de Villiers (back) both sidelined with injury.
Speaking after he lead his side to a tense 15-run win over Delhi Daredevils on Saturday night, Watson was asked about the fitness of the star duo by commentator and former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar.
Report & Highlights: RCB bowlers hold their nerve against Delhi
"They're back next game," Watson replied with a straight face, before smiling when he perhaps realised he'd revealed too much.
When Manjraker asked if Watson was a "reliable source" of information, the Australian paused and replied with a laugh: "Ah ... no!".
Want an update on @imVkohli & @ABdeVilliers17 ? Here is a very ‘reliable source’ giving you the answer @ShaneRWatson33 @sanjaymanjrekar #IPL pic.twitter.com/dkMiaUtoVN
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 8, 2017
RCB's next match is against Glenn Maxwell's Kings XI Punjab side in Indore on Monday night.
For their part, both Kohli and de Villiers have said they won't return to action until they reach full fitness again.
With the 50-over Champions Trophy beginning in less than two months, India skipper Kohli is wary of pushing himself too soon ahead of his side's title defence in the UK.
"The priority is Indian cricket with the Champions Trophy coming up and I don't want to take any risks," Kohli said last Wednesday.
"I have not set any date and I will only return when I am 120 per cent fit. Having said that I would like to return on field as soon as possible.
"I would say I have got a bit used to (missing games) as I have already missed a Test match.
"But it is frustrating that you can't play because of injury on just one part of your body."
On Thursday, de Villiers said of his fitness: "Even though I'm very, very keen to get on the field, I'll make sure that I'm 100 per cent fit.
"Because, if you go on the park and you're 90 per cent, you might be out for longer anyway."
While RCB's bowlers guided them to a brilliant win over Delhi, there's little doubt they're missing the batting power of both Kohli and de Villiers.
Bangalore had to rely on a sensational innings from Kedar Jadhav against Delhi as they posted a total of 8-157, setting a target that Watson conceded was "below par".
But some brilliant death bowling, led by Watson, meant Delhi fell well short as RCB became the first side since 2015 to defend a total of less than 200 at the run-heavy M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.