After Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2026 match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Virat Kohli refused to shake hands with Travis Head. The incident stemmed from a heated exchange between the two players during the game, with Kohli seen taunting Head while batting and the Australian responding in kind while fielding. Kohli was heard challenging Head to bowl deliveries, to which Head retorted that Kohli got out before he even had a chance to bowl to him.
In the match, Kohli scored only 15 runs off 11 balls as RCB failed to chase down a 256-run target, losing by 55 runs. The victory was crucial for Sunrisers, who needed a big win to overtake Royal Challengers in the league standings. However, despite their 55-run win margin, Sunrisers finished third in the standings behind Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.
The tense confrontation between Kohli and Head added drama to an already intense match, with both players showing their competitive spirit on the field. The incident highlighted the emotions and competitive nature of IPL matches, where rivalries and tensions often come to the forefront.
The match was a significant one in the context of the league standings, with teams jostling for positions in the playoffs. The intense competition and animosity between players added an extra layer of excitement to the game, leaving fans and spectators on the edge of their seats until the final delivery.
Published on May 23, 2026.
Follow Franchise Cricket for more IPL news.
