The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 22 saw a heated exchange between openers Travis Head and Virat Kohli. The on-field spat continued after the match as well with Kohli ignoring Head during the customary handshake. Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on the issue as well.
“In the heat of the moment, things happen. Anybody can snap,” Gavaskar said on May 24 at the launch of the eighth edition of Midwicket Stories.
“Everybody wants to be the best role model possible, but all of us are human and sometimes we fail those standards. Today, everything comes into the public domain much quicker than before,” he added.
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No sanctions for Kohli-Head
While Mumbai Indians' (MI) Hardik Pandya was punished for showing frustration by removing bails and Delhi Capitals’ (DC) Kyle Jamieson was fined for a mere celebration after dismissing, Head and Kohli escaped any fine or demerit point. Similarly Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) Sanju Samson and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Heinrich Klaasen were not reprimanded for their heated exchange as well.
“Even India and Pakistan players don’t always shake hands after matches,” a BCCI source said as quoted by TOI.
Husband’s on-field spat leads to social media abuse
Meanwhile, the on-field tiff with Kohli has led to Head and his wife facing social media abuse. Head’s wife, Jessica in a recent interview with The Advertiser revealed that the abuse is similar to what she and her daughter faced after ODI World Cup 2023 final, World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final and the Boxing Day Test 2024 which was part of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
“It feels like a repeat of the abuse that happened after the World Cup,” she told Australian media outlet.
“I woke up to my socials blasting... we are fine but they are attacking my friends and family.”
Kohli and Head may face each other in playoffs or the IPL 2026 final. RCB have made it to Qualifier 1. They will face Gujarat Titans (GT). Meanwhile, SRH will lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator clash.