The IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad saw an absolute chaos unfold as Virat Kohli rejected a handshake with Travis Head, and this controversy became the biggest talking point of the game.
Travis Head and Virat Kohli were engaged in a heated on-field exchange during the 67th match of IPL 2026, and then, after the game, an awkward incident took place, which saw Virat Kohli ignoring Travis Head when the latter offered a handshake.
Key Points
1 - Virat Kohli and Travis Head were involved in a heated moment during the SRH vs RCB IPL 2026 clash.
2 - Kohli was seen chirping at Head during RCB’s chase before getting dismissed for 15 runs.
3 - Travis Head allegedly responded with a sharp verbal sledge after Kohli’s wicket.
4 - The controversy exploded after Kohli appeared to ignore Head’s handshake post-match.
What happened between Virat Kohli and Travis Head during SRH vs RCB game?
The tension between Virat Kohli and Travis Head actually began very early in the game during RCB’s chase of 256. In the third over of the Powerplay, Kohli appeared visibly fired up while batting and started chirping at Travis Head from the middle.
According to the claims on social media, Kohli aggressively gestured toward the SRH dugout and mockingly referenced Head’s regular "Impact Player" role this season.
The RCB batter was seen signaling toward the bench while seemingly challenging Head to come and bowl himself instead of staying near the boundary ropes. After the incident, Kohli struggled to settle during the powerplay and eventually fell for 15 runs in the sixth over.
As he started walking back toward the dugout, Head fired back with a brutal sledge as he apparently said, “Mate, you got out before I even came on to bowl.”
Watch: Virat Kohli-Travis Head handshake controversy
Kohli was totally upset after getting out, and the videos of the incidents started circulating heavily within minutes on social media; however, the true controversy was during the customary post-match handshakes.
As both teams lined up after SRH’s massive victory, cameras captured an awkward interaction between Kohli and Head. The viral video appeared to show Kohli walking straight past the Australian opener without properly stopping, even though the SRH superstar offered a handshake.
Some supporters believed Kohli deliberately ignored Head because of the heated exchange, while others argued that the RCB superstar was simply furious after the disappointing defeat.
Virat Kohli did not shake hands with Travis Head after yesterday’s match even though Travis had extended his hand first. pic.twitter.com/rU1HYdNbjI
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) May 23, 2026
Here is how fans reacted to Virat Kohli-Travis Head handshake row:
Fans from both the RCB and SRH camps jumped into debates instantly, with some accusing Kohli of crossing the line with his gesture.
If you gonna give it you gonna take it too. Same thing happens with Kohli here. Kohli fans make issue of every single thing here to hate every cricketer. So now when Kohli does something which was not required specially when Head himself came for Handshake he will be bashed.
— Shrey (@Shrey__123) May 23, 2026
Kohli didn't shake hands with Travis Head.
— Revengers 🪳 (@ShoaibAkht8771) May 23, 2026
This same guy hugged Babar and Rizwan after losing by 10 wkts vs Pak in 2021 T20WC.🥲#RcbvsSrh https://t.co/816yAZyTTP pic.twitter.com/rUL3p1YznA
Virat's ego dies faster than his 15-run innings 😂 Head owns him every time. Kohli stans still coping? Reply & prove me wrong 👀 Follow @KingsalmanHQ for real take
— King Salman HQ (@KingsalmanHQ) May 23, 2026
Unnecessary Virat Kohli is creating issue . First Virat celebrated Head wicket like he has won world cup and in second innings he can't took head sleadging 🤡 https://t.co/3utbI5pCUY
— Jash (@jeetcasm) May 23, 2026
head was the father of kohli fanclub till yesterday
— 40_Balls_50 (@Hitler_2024) May 23, 2026
Very wrong gesture from Kohli
— SNEHASISH GHOSH (@SNEHASISH_OP) May 23, 2026
He shouldn't do this . Clearly head was waiting for handshake.... Kohli's aggression is good this is not acceptable.#sportsmanship #kohli #handshake https://t.co/tK79E5KSFN
Look the problem is #Kohli is that he likes to give and not take. He makes gestures in every game and people call it passion, aggression. But the moment someone does it to him, he loses it.I can guarantee if this was the other side,kohli fans wouldve trolled Head for no handshake
— Vicky Chopra (@angoor0aadmi) May 23, 2026
Head showed what he is capable of to Kohli🤣🔥 https://t.co/gX74ogDueF
— Sandeep (@Sandeep_5_7_4) May 23, 2026
Rules for thee, not for Kohli. 😭
— newsJi (@workwithjimi365) May 23, 2026
Normal player: 'Unacceptable behavior.'
Virat Kohli: 'Unmatched swagger. The King doesn't shake hands, he shakes stadiums.'
Travis Head waiting for that handshake like 📨 'seen 3 hours ago.'
Double standards are so real, they need their own IPL…
Forget Travis head and forget what kind of guy he is…but you are virat Kohli you have reputation to maintain….
— K M Sardar (@kmsardar) May 23, 2026
SRH crush RCB in IPL 2026 clash
Lost amid all the drama was the fact that Sunrisers Hyderabad produced one of their strongest performances of IPL 2026. SRH’s batting lineup attacked relentlessly before the bowlers completely strangled RCB during the chase.
Batting first, SRH piled up 255/4, riding on batting brilliance from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Then, with the ball, Pat Cummins & Co. were right on money as they stopped RCB for 200/4, sealing a 55-run victory. However, RCB managed to cross the crucial 166-run mark during the chase, which ensured they finished at the top of the IPL 2026 points table on net run-rate advantage. That officially secured RCB a place in Qualifier 1.
Also Read: Revealed: Why Virat Kohli rejected handshake with Travis Head in IPL 2026?
