Kohli’s Handshake Snub Highlights IPL Tensions as SRH Defeat RCB

A verbal confrontation during the IPL 2026 encounter between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru has escalated into a notable breach of post-match protocol. On May 22, Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Virat Kohli deliberately ignored an outstretched hand from Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Travis Head during the customary post-match greetings. The incident occurred against the backdrop of a 55-run victory for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who successfully defended a total of 256 runs.

The tension originated in the middle of the pitch while Royal Challengers Bengaluru were attempting to chase the target. Travis Head challenged Kohli to play attacking shots during his brief stay at the crease. Kohli responded with a sarcastic gesture, mimicking the substitution sign for the “Impact Player” rule and telling Head to come down and bowl rather than offering commentary from the outfield. This exchange was captured by Star Sports commentators, including former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who noted that Kohli explicitly invited Head to bowl off-spin, referencing his status as an Impact Player.

Head did eventually fulfill the request, bowling one over after Kohli had been dismissed. In that solitary over, the Australian opener took the wicket of Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar. However, the on-field action did not translate into a conciliatory atmosphere during the post-match ceremony. While Kohli warmly greeted other Sunrisers Hyderabad players and staff, including captain Pat Cummins and opener Abhishek Sharma, he walked past Head without making eye contact or acknowledging the handshake attempt.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, also providing commentary for Star Sports, confirmed the sequence of events and the resulting diplomatic snub. He stated that while Head extended his hand in an apparent attempt to move past the heated confrontation, Kohli refused to shake it. Singh attributed the refusal directly to the banter that occurred between the two players during the match, describing the handshake denial as a direct consequence of their verbal exchange.

The incident underscores the friction surrounding the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, a point of contention often discussed in cricket commentary. While post-match handshakes are a customary tradition in the sport, they are not always strictly enforced in cases of on-field conflict. The refusal to engage in this ritual highlights the personal stakes involved in the rivalry, leaving the broader implications for player relations and future matches unclear.