Virat Kohli drew criticism after the Kohli Head handshake incident, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 55-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026.
The incident came after SRH beat RCB by 55 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH scored 255/4 before RCB finished on 200/4, according to the match scorecard.
A video from the post-match line showed Kohli shaking hands with Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma before walking past Travis Head, who appeared to extend his hand. The exact reason for the apparent snub remained unclear.
Look at the reaction of Travis Head, Muttiah Muralitharan and SRH support staff, when Virat Kohli ignored Travis Head during Handshake 😯
A must watch video 👇pic.twitter.com/7U3noCrS59
— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) May 23, 2026Kohli and Head exchanged words during the match. The clip later drew criticism on social media, where users questioned Kohli’s sportsmanship.
Read: Virat Kohli Becomes Fastest to 28,000 International Runs in Historic ODI
Kohli made 15 off 11 balls before Sakib Hussain dismissed him. Travis Head scored 26 off 16 balls for SRH and later took the wicket of RCB captain Rajat Patidar.
कोहली और हैड के बीच जुबानी जंग की शुरुआत यहाँ से हुईं थी
किंग कोहली ने कहा -,“आओ, गेंदबाजी करो, फिर मैं तुम्हें छक्के दिखाऊंगा।”
ट्रैविस हेड ने कहा -“अगर मैं गेंदबाजी करने आया, तो तुम भागकर ड्रेसिंग रूम में जाओगे।”
इसलिए बाद में कोहली हैड से हाथ नहीं मिलाया pic.twitter.com/PzSOgpVoOb
— ममता ट्राबल (@Mamtasulaniya) May 23, 2026Ishan Kishan led SRH with 79 off 46 balls, while Abhishek Sharma hit 56 off 22. Rajat Patidar top-scored for RCB with 56 off 39 balls. Despite the defeat, RCB remained at the top end of the IPL 2026 table.
