- India,
- 23-May-2026 08:50 AM IST
In the 67th match of IPL 2026, a high-voltage encounter took place between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. While the match itself was a high-scoring thriller, it was the post-match events that captured the attention of fans worldwide, while a video has gone viral on social media showing Virat Kohli seemingly ignoring a handshake with Australian batsman Travis Head after the conclusion of the game. This incident has sparked intense discussion among cricket enthusiasts regarding the sportsmanship and the underlying tension between the two star players.
The Handshake Controversy
Following the conclusion of the match, where Sunrisers Hyderabad emerged victorious by 55 runs, players from both teams gathered on the field for the traditional post-match handshakes. As the line of players moved forward, Travis Head extended his hand toward Virat Kohli. However, Kohli appeared to walk past him without making eye contact or reciprocating the gesture, continuing to shake hands with other SRH players. This moment was captured by cameras and quickly circulated across various social media platforms, leading to widespread speculation about the relationship between the two cricketers.
Tension During the Match
The seeds of this controversy were sown during the match itself. The tension began to build during the early overs of RCB's innings as they attempted to chase down a massive target of 256 runs. During an over bowled by Shivang Kumar, where runs were being scored at a rapid pace, Virat Kohli was seen gesturing toward Travis Head. Kohli reportedly made signs suggesting that Head should come on to bowl and even made an 'Impact Player' gesture, which many interpreted as a way of mocking or teasing the Australian opener. Although Head responded with a smile at the time, the atmosphere on the field remained charged.
Aggressive Celebrations and Dismissals
Virat Kohli's aggressive demeanor was also visible during the Sunrisers Hyderabad innings. When Rasikh Dar Salam managed to clean bowl Travis Head with a brilliant yorker, Kohli celebrated the wicket with immense intensity on the field. However, Kohli's own performance with the bat in this high-scoring game was limited, while he was dismissed for just 15 runs by Saqib Hussain. Kohli attempted a big shot but failed to time the ball correctly, resulting in a catch. Later in the match, Travis Head also made a contribution with the ball by taking the wicket of Rajat Patidar, further adding to the competitive narrative of the game.
Match Summary and Playoff Implications
Sunrisers Hyderabad displayed an explosive batting performance to set a target of 255/4. The innings was powered by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 56 runs off 22 balls, and Ishan Kishan, who played a stellar knock of 79 runs off 44 balls. Heinrich Klaasen also contributed a quickfire 51 runs off 24 balls. In response, Royal Challengers Bengaluru could only reach a total of 200 runs, falling short by 55 runs. Despite this loss, RCB managed to stay at the top of the points table due to their superior net run rate. They've successfully secured a top-2 finish alongside Gujarat Titans. Both teams are now set to face each other in Qualifier-1, which is scheduled to take place on May 26 in Dharamshala.
🔴Virat Kohli not happy with Travis Head for that reaction 🤯🥵
— ‘HK’ (@potter_here18) May 22, 2026
- yelled at him while at the crease.
- frustrated at the dugout.
- No handshakes after the match 🤯🗿 pic.twitter.com/T0TcwFnimu
#ViratKohli 🆚 #TravisHead 🥵🤯
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 22, 2026
Tensions rise in high voltage clash🔥#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 👉 #SRHvRCB | LIVE NOW ➡️https://t.co/52qPTW2gSO pic.twitter.com/JOiWaxNW6T
