South Africa batsman AB de Villiers has revealed how a "debilitating" illness left him bedbound over the past week.
De Villiers has been absent for Royal Challengers Bangalore in matches against Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians but is expected to return for Saturday's clash with Chennai Super Kings.
And the 34-year-old says a severe viral flu was behind his lay-off, confining him to his hotel room.
"The last four days have been a blur," he wrote in a Times of India column. "I have been suffering from severe viral flu, one of the most debilitating illnesses I have ever experienced.
"Aside from one visit to the hospital, I have barely left my hotel room. Sleep has been almost impossible, and the migraine headaches have been extreme.
"It was frustrating for me to miss two home matches at the Chinnaswamy, but I was able to follow both games on television... even if, to be honest, most of the time, it was only possible to watch with one eye open because of the throbbing pain in my head."
RCB sit sixth after just three wins from eight matches.
