Kohli locks in comeback date

India superstar Virat Kohli has announced he will return to the Indian Premier League this Friday for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s crucial clash with Mumbai Indians.

Kohli was forced to sit out the first three matches of RCB’s campaign as he continued to recover from a shoulder injury suffered in the third Test against Australia in Ranchi, but took to social media on Tuesday to reveal the date of his return.

Can't wait to get back onto the field. Almost there now 💪✌️😃. 14th April ⏳ 

“Can't wait to get back onto the field. Almost there now. 14th April.” Kohli wrote.

The return of their skipper will be a much-needed boost for RCB, who have one win from their three outings to date.

On Tuesday, an AB de Villiers blitzkrieg wasn’t enough to see them over the line against King XI Punjab, with the South African’s 89 not out from 46 balls making up more than 60 per cent of their below-par total of 4-148.

Kohli injured his shoulder while diving in the field on the opening day of the third Test against Steve Smith’s side on March 16.

Quick single: AB's remarkable 2017 hot streak

Last week, the Indian firebrand declared he would not return to the IPL until he was “120 per cent” fit, wanting to ensure his fitness for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom.

"The priority is Indian cricket with the Champions Trophy coming up and I don't want to take any risks,” Kohli told commentators during RCB’s defeat to David Warner’s Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“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."

Kohli’s return is a welcome boost for an Bangalore batting line-up which has failed to reach 160 in its last two matches.

But it could spell bad news for West Indian star Chris Gayle, who was omitted from the RCB XI on Monday in favour of de Villiers, when the latter returned from a back injury.

With only four international players permitted in an IPL side’s XI, Bangalore opted to keep pacemen Billy Stanlake and Tymal Mills in their line-up.

And while RCB may still consider a reshuffle to factor in Gayle given their batting struggles, Kohli’s return will make it even harder to fit the flamboyant opener back into the star-studded team.

Quick single: Winds of change blowing for Gayle?

RCB allrounder Stuart Binny explained after Monday’s match Gayle’s omission was a matter of trying to fit five overseas players into four available slots.

"Shane Watson has batted in the top order for all his career, so there was no question of changing his position," Binny said of the RCB captain.

"We had no option but to drop Chris Gayle to make way for AB in the top order.

"It was not a tactical strategy but simply we had no other choice.

"As soon as AB de Villiers is fit he walks into RCB's playing XI."

Gayle, 37, is just 25 runs shy of becoming the first player to 10,000 T20 runs.

The Royal Challengers will host Mumbai Indians at Chinnaswamy Stadium in their second home game of the season.