The IPL 2026 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru may not have carried massive playoff implications, with both teams already through to the knockouts, but it was a fiery moment involving Virat Kohli and Travis Head that dominated the conversation online after the match.
Despite SRH’s commanding 55-run win, RCB still managed to retain the top spot on the IPL points table. However, social media quickly exploded after Kohli’s heated on-field exchange with Head and an apparent handshake snub after the game.
Fans divided over Virat Kohli-Travis Head moment
The incident sparked strong reactions online, with several fans criticising Kohli’s behaviour while others defended the RCB star’s aggressive approach to the game.
“I have always maintained that Kohli is a self-obsessed man with zero sportsmanship. He is a sore loser,” one fan wrote on social media.
I have always maintained that Kohli is a self obsessed man with zero sportsmanship. He is a sore loser.
— Ayushman Dash (@AyushmanDash77) May 23, 2026
Another commented, “Bad times will befall Super Brat Virat Kohli… not Travis Head. The most arrogant, crass and uncouth player.”
Bad times will befall Super Brat Virat Kohli…not Travis Head. The most arrogant, crass and uncouth player Kohli
— ramdas b (@ramdasb16758) May 23, 2026
“I have never been a fan of Kohli. He might be a great player and a brilliant family man, but he is snobbish and does not know the spirit of sportsmanship,” another user posted.
I have never been a fan of Kohli. He might be a great player and a brilliant family man, but he is snobbish and does not know the letter of sportsman spirit.
— Aditi Ray (@aditi_ray_14) May 23, 2026
Some even questioned Kohli’s public spiritual image. “What’s the use of going to ashrams and learning spirituality when you can’t brush simple issues aside?” another fan wrote.
Tf is the use of going to ashrams and learning all the spiritual shit when you cant even brush simple issues aside
— Superboy (@Superboy_333) May 23, 2026
Even a section of RCB supporters expressed disappointment over the incident. “As RCB fans we don’t encourage such arrogance from anyone, even if it’s our own player,” one user posted.
Down fall start from this behaviour… as RCB fans we don’t encourage such arrogance from anyone it might be our own team players itself
— Pradeep kumar S (@ap120988) May 23, 2026
However, several fans defended Kohli and argued that aggression and intensity have always been part of elite sport.
“The obsession with ‘sportsmanship’ becomes hilarious whenever Kohli gives aggression back. Opposition players can sledge, celebrate in faces and act cocky, but the moment Kohli responds, suddenly everyone becomes morality experts,” one fan wrote.
The obsession with “sportsmanship” becomes hilarious whenever Kohli gives aggression back.
Opposition players can sledge, celebrate in faces, act cocky, and people call it passion.
But the moment Virat Kohli responds with intensity, suddenly everyone becomes morality experts 😭…
— The Observer (@ObserverMindX) May 23, 2026
What really happened between Virat Kohli and Travis Head?
The moment took place during RCB’s chase when Kohli was seen having an animated exchange with Head on the field. While the exact conversation was unclear, cameras captured Kohli appearing visibly fired up during the interaction.
The tension appeared to continue even after the match. During the customary post-match handshakes, Kohli greeted SRH captain Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma but appeared to move past Head despite the Australian opener extending his hand.
Irfan Pathan explains Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan later tried to explain Kohli’s behaviour, describing it as part of the intensity and aggression that often comes with elite-level cricket.
“Yes, I was commentating at that time. Look, Virat also likes to play cricket the way the Australians do. A little banter, a little aggression, a little talk of ‘okay, come and bowl a few deliveries.’ That’s what he was saying: ‘You are not an Impact Player.’ Generally, he is an Impact Player, and he goes off the field. He asked him to bowl, something happened, and he was calling him out as well,” Pathan said on JioHotstar.
The former India all-rounder also suggested that on-field aggression is normal in competitive cricket, though he chose not to elaborate much on the post-match handshake incident.
“Look at what happened after the game, I am not going to talk much about that. But what happened on the field is okay, it happens. You want to play aggressively, you want to wear your heart on your sleeve, and that brings a little banter and aggression,” he added.
SRH beat RCB by 55 runs despite strong playoff position
Coming to the match, SRH posted a massive 255/4 after explosive half-centuries from Ishan Kishan (79), Abhishek Sharma (56) and Heinrich Klaasen (51), while Nitish Kumar Reddy added an unbeaten 29 late in the innings.
RCB responded aggressively through Venkatesh Iyer, who smashed 44 off 19 balls, while Rajat Patidar scored 56 and Krunal Pandya remained unbeaten on 41. However, RCB eventually finished on 200/4 as Eshan Malinga impressed with figures of 2/33 for SRH.