Virat Kohli snubs Travis Head handshake after IPL 2026 verbal spat

Tempers flared during the high-voltage IPL 2026 encounter between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 22, as a fiery verbal battle between Virat Kohli and Travis Head spilled over into the post-match handshakes. The incident unfolded during RCB’s daunting chase of 256, with Kohli and Head exchanging sharp words in the middle. Head first sparked the exchange by challenging Kohli to play attacking shots during his brief stay at the crease. Kohli, never one to back down from verbal duels, responded with a sarcastic gesture aimed at Head’s role as an Impact Player for SRH. The former RCB captain mockingly signaled the “Impact Player” substitution sign and told Head to come down and bowl himself rather than chirping from the outfield. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was on commentary duty during the game, explained the sequence of events. “Virat Kohli had invited Travis Head to come to bowl off-spin, he said you always go out as the Impact Player. The banter between the two started again, Kohli invited Head to bowl,” Pathan said during commentary on Star Sports. As a matter of fact, Head did come out to bowl one over in the match, but was after Kohli had already been dismissed. In his solitary over, the SRH star picked up the wicket of the RCB captain Rajat Patidar. Following SRH’s commanding 55-run victory, players from both teams lined up for the customary handshakes. During the exchange, Head extended his hand towards Kohli in an apparent attempt to move on from the heated on-field confrontation. However, Kohli ignored the gesture completely, walking straight past the Australian opener without making eye contact. Interestingly, Kohli continued greeting other SRH players and staff warmly, including captain Pat Cummins and opener Abhishek Sharma. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh also weighed in on the controversial moment during his appearance on Star Sports. “Travis Head did extend his hand, but Virat Kohli didn't shake it. I don't know what happened, but Kohli and Head had a bit of banter in the middle. The result of the banter was that Kohli refused to shake hands with Head,” Harbhajan said.