Gavaskar defends Kohli as BCCI rules out censure over IPL handshake incident
Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Virat Kohli’s interaction with Travis Head, while BCCI sources indicate the incident falls outside mandatory conduct regulations.
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged restraint in the aftermath of a contentious on-field moment during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, stating that high-pressure environments can cause anyone to lose composure. The comments follow reports that Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Virat Kohli appeared to avoid shaking hands with Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Travis Head following a defeat in Hyderabad on Friday.
Speaking at the launch of the eighth edition of Midwicket Stories on Sunday, Gavaskar acknowledged the intense scrutiny placed on modern athletes. "In the heat of the moment, things happen. Anybody can snap," Gavaskar said. He noted that while players strive to be role models, they remain human and occasionally fail to meet those elevated standards, a reality exacerbated by the rapid dissemination of information in the public domain.
The incident in question occurred after Royal Challengers Bengaluru lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. During the match, Kohli was observed exchanging words with Head, and post-match footage suggested he did not offer a handshake. This event is part of a broader pattern of visible frustration in the current IPL season, which also included Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya breaking stumps in anger during a match against Kolkata Knight Riders earlier in the week.
Despite the visual nature of the controversy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not expected to take disciplinary action against Kohli. A BCCI source indicated that handshakes are considered part of the "spirit of cricket" rather than a mandatory requirement under official regulations. The source further noted that even players from rival nations, such as India and Pakistan, do not always exchange handshakes after matches.
The governing body’s position suggests that while such moments generate significant media attention, they do not necessarily constitute a breach of conduct rules warranting censure. The lack of mandatory enforcement for post-match handshakes allows for a degree of discretion in how players manage on-field emotions and interactions.
