Royal Challengers Bengaluru veteran Virat Kohli did not shake hands with Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Travis Head at the conclusion of the game between the two sides at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday.
The match saw the defending champions lose to SRH by 55 runs. Despite the loss, the RCB managed to hold on to the top spot on the IPL points tally.
After the game, as the two sets of players were engaging in customary post-match handshakes, Virat was spotted shaking hands with SRH skipper Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma; however, he refused to acknowledge Head's presence despite the Australian first stretching his arm forward for a formal handshake.
Look at the way Travis Head went to shake hands with Virat Kohli, but Kohli did not shake hands with him back. Seriously, what happened between them? ????
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) May 23, 2026
I have always seen both of them sharing a good bond during international cricket and even in the IPL. pic.twitter.com/lTrCYyIL20
The RCB veteran then proceeded ahead and shook hands with Ishak Kishan, Sakib Hussain and other Hyderabad players.
The incident was the culmination of the heated exchange between the two players during the game. During Hyderabad's innings, when Rashik Salam clean bowled Head with a yorker, Virat was caught on camera celebrating aggressively.
Look at reaction of Virat Kohli after wicket of Travis Head #RCBvsSRH #SRHvsRCBpic.twitter.com/8Eg1ITD2K1
— Raja (@_raja_kumar) May 22, 2026
Later during Bengaluru's run chase, Kohli and Head were again involved in an exchange of words and gestures, although the two players kept a distance from each other.
#ViratKohli ???? #TravisHead ????????
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 22, 2026
Tensions rise in high voltage clash????#TATAIPL Race to Playoffs 2026 ???? #SRHvRCB | LIVE NOW ➡️https://t.co/52qPTW2gSO pic.twitter.com/JOiWaxNW6T
The game saw SRH score 255/4 thanks to half-centuries from Abhishek, Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen. In response, RCB scored only 200/4 in 20 overs with skipper Rajat Patidar.
ALSO READ: IPL 2026: KKR's Angkrish Raghuvanshi Ruled Out Of Final League Game Against DC Due To An Injury
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