After RCB's IPL 2026 loss to SRH, Virat Kohli seemingly avoided shaking hands with Travis Head, an incident that followed an on-field verbal altercation. The moment went viral, sparking a massive debate among fans on social media regarding sportsmanship. Despite the defeat, RCB secured the top spot on the points table for Qualifier 1.
The star batter Virat Kohli has seemingly avoided exchanging handshakes with Travis Head after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeat in the IPL 2026 clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, May 22.
Despite a 55-run defeat, RCB managed to finish the league stage as table toppers and secure Qualifier 1 spot, as SRH failed to restrict the visitors within the required margin to overtake their Net Run Rate (NRR). Chasing a mammoth 256-run target, the defending champions were restricted to 200/5 in 20 overs, despite valiant efforts by skipper Rajat Patidar, who scored a fifty, and Krunal Pandya, who scored a fiery 41-run knock.
For SRH, Eshan Malinga led the bowling attack with figures of 2/33 at an economy rate of 8.20 in his spell of four overs. Sakib Hussain (1/31) and Travis Head (1/7) picked up a wicket each to restrict the visitors and secure a comprehensive win on home soil.
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Also Read: Patidar credits SRH's slow bouncers after RCB's loss in Hyderabad
Kohli Avoiding Head’s Handshake Goes Viral
As Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully secured Qualifier 1 by finishing at the top of the points table despite defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the spotlight quickly shifted to the dramatic post-match scenes.
As the two teams lined up on the field for the customary post-game handshakes, a moment involving Virat Kohli and Travis Head instantly caught the attention of fans and commentators alike. As Kohli shook hands with Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma, the RCB star batter seemingly ignored Head, who was standing right next to them. Instead of extending his hand, Kohli looked straight ahead and walked past the Australian opener without making eye contact.
Travis Head, who extended his hand, was visibly surprised by Kohli’s reaction. The left-handed opener kept his hand hanging for a brief second, a look of utter puzzlement crossing his face before quickly pulling it back and moving towards the next player.
The incident occurred after Virat Kohli and Travis Head had a verbal altercation during the RCB’s run chase, where the Indian star batter seemingly asked the Australian opener to bowl if he had so much input to offer from the field. However, Head didn’t react much to Kohli’s words at the time, instead gave calm facial expressions, adding fuel to the fire.
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Earlier, Virat Kohli was pumped up after Rasikh Salam Dar delivered a searing yorker that completely deceived Travis Head and shattered the stumps in the fourth over of the first innings. Head, who had just smashed three consecutive boundaries off Dar, looked completely turned inside out as the ball crashed into the timber.
Fans React to the Frosty Post-Match Exchange
Virat Kohli's refusal to shake hands with Travis Head has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts heavily divided over the incident.
Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts over Kohli’s actions, some called it disrespectful and criticized him for ignoring Head’s extended hand, while others speculated that Head might have crossed a line with comments during the match.
Many urged Kohli to stay humble, emphasizing that such on-field banter shouldn’t affect post-match sportsmanship.
Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lock horns with the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, and the winner will directly qualify for the final, while the loser will get another chance to fight for a final spot by playing in Qualifier 2.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, will face fourth place finished in the Eliminator, where a loss means immediate elimination, while a win will keep their title hopes alive and advance them to Qualifier 2.
Also Read: IPL 2026: SRH thrash RCB; happy with big win, says skipper Pat Cummins
