IPL fallout sparks online abuse for Travis Scott and Travis Head family
Jessica Head calls for mental health awareness as online harassment extends to friends and family of Australian cricketer
American rapper Travis Scott has become the unexpected target of online abuse after cricket fans mistakenly identified him as Australian cricketer Travis Head. The incident occurred following a heated on-field exchange between Head and Indian captain Virat Kohli during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
The controversy began during RCB’s chase, where Head jokingly advised Kohli to play more attacking shots. Kohli reportedly responded with sarcasm, suggesting Head bowl himself despite being used as an Impact Player. Following Kohli’s dismissal for 15 runs and RCB’s 55-run defeat, tensions appeared to persist during post-match handshakes, with reports indicating Kohli allegedly ignored Head’s outstretched hand.
Social media users subsequently flooded Scott’s Instagram comments section with abuse intended for Head. The mix-up persisted despite corrections from other users, affecting Scott’s account, which has over 59 million followers. Scott has no connection to the IPL or the on-field spat, yet the trolling continued as outrage spread faster than factual corrections.
Travis Head and his wife, Jessica, have also faced significant harassment. Jessica Head told Australian media outlet The Advertiser that she woke up to her social media platforms being "blasting" with abuse directed at the couple, their friends, and family members. She confirmed that the harassment extended beyond the athletes to their wider social circle.
Head referenced similar incidents of online abuse following Australia’s victories in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, the World Test Championship final, and the 2024 Boxing Day Test. During those previous events, the couple’s young daughter reportedly received disturbing threats online.
Jessica Head called for a broader conversation regarding mental health, perspective, and empathy in sports fandom. She emphasised that while passion is inherent to sport, there are "real people and families behind the game" who are affected by online vitriol. The incident highlights recurring concerns regarding fan culture and the mental health impacts on athletes and their loved ones.
