Australian opener Travis Head has downplayed the heated handshake incident with Virat Kohli after the May 22 clash in IPL 2026, saying there is no animosity between the two players that needs to be addressed.
The incident occurred during the SRH vs RCB match where SRH won by 55 runs. During RCB's chase, Kohli and Head exchanged words on the field, and in the post-match greeting, Kohli walked past Head without shaking his hand. Kohli signaled the head to take the responsibility of bowling and copied the impact sub signal.
“I don't think there's anything to compromise. That's just the way it is. It's a yes. There are no surprises in how the competition played out or what happened. It was as expected,” Head was quoted as saying by Code Sports.
What was the reason for the tension on the field between Travis Head and Virat Kohli?
Head initially challenged Kohli to play aggressive shots during his brief stay at the crease, to which Kohli responded with sarcasm about Head's role as an impact player, derisively prompting the substitution and asking Head to come down and bowl himself. The confrontation turned a competitive moment into a heated verbal duel between two of the IPL's most aggressive players.
When family members were targeted the fallout extended beyond the field. Head and his wife Jessica faced online abuse from Indian cricket fans, with hateful comments and private messages sent to him, his friends and family members.
Jessica said, “It feels like this is a repeat of the abuse that happened after the World Cup. I woke up to my socials exploding… We're fine but they're attacking my friends and family.”
Head's measured response reflects his desire to move on from the episode as part of a competitive game. Their composure during the altercation indicates that both players view the incident as a momentary confrontation rather than a permanent rupture. With the IPL 2026 season now concluding after the May 31 final in Ahmedabad, the focus has shifted to the next international fixtures and the upcoming franchise leagues.
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