- Virat Kohli ignored Travis Head during post-match handshakes.
- Kohli and Head exchanged heated words during RCB’s chase.
- Kohli celebrated aggressively after Head’s dismissal for 26.
The IPL 2026 encounter between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday, May 22, was intense.
Even though SRH won by a commanding 55 runs, a heated post-match exchange between Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli and SRH opener Travis Head instantly ignited social media.
According to a viral video circulating online, Kohli completely neglected to shake hands with the left-handed Australian after the match. SRH captain Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan were warmly greeted by Kohli, but his swift bypass of Head became the talk of the night.
As tensions rose all evening, the post-match snub wasn’t an isolated incident. As Rasikh Salam Dar clean bowled Travis head for 26 in the first innings, Kohli celebrated in an incredibly animated manner. At the start of RCB’s steep chase of 256, the verbal battle reached its peak. There were heated words exchanged between Kohli and Head, as well as aggressive gestures, as Kohli challenged Head to come into the attack and try his luck with the ball.
Watch the video here:
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Ishan Kishan stars in SRH’s commanding victory against RCB
Later in the innings, in a dramatic turn of events, Head came on to bowl and quickly removed Rajat Patidar, the captain of the RCB, who was scoring 56 off 39 deliveries. SRH amassed a massive 255 for 4 because of explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma, who hit 56 off only 22 deliveries, and Ishan Kishan, who slammed a brilliant 79 off 46 balls to win Player of the Match. Heinrich Klaasen’s 24-ball 51 provided late fireworks.
Despite Patidar’s valiant fifty and Krunal Pandya’s undefeated forty-one, a disciplined Hyderabad bowling team stifled RCB’s momentum and limited the visitors to 200 for four.
Top-three playoff spots sealed as race for fourth intensifies
There was a significant bright spot for RCB despite the devastating loss. They were able to stay in the top two of the standings thanks to their Net Run Rate (NRR).
RCB, Gujarat Titans, and SRH are all tied at 18 points as the league stage comes to a close, and NRR will determine their ultimate playoff seeding. The top three teams have already secured playoff spots, while Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders are competing for the fourth and final knockout berth.
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