Virat Kohli's Controversial Gesture After RCB's Defeat to SRH

In a recent IPL match, Virat Kohli's refusal to shake hands with Travis Head after RCB's defeat to SRH has ignited controversy among fans. Kohli's performance was lackluster, scoring only 15 runs in a challenging chase. The match saw SRH dominate, with significant contributions from Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma. Despite the loss, RCB secured a top-two finish in the league, setting the stage for their upcoming clash against Gujarat Titans. Explore the full story behind the match and the reactions to Kohli's actions.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2026, 07:28 IST

Kohli's Snub Sparks Outrage

In a recent match, Virat Kohli bypassed the traditional handshake with Travis Head following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). A video circulating on social media shows Head reaching out for a handshake, but Kohli walked past him without acknowledgment. This incident has drawn criticism from fans, who feel such behavior is unbecoming of a player of Kohli's caliber.

Kohli's performance in the match was underwhelming, as he was dismissed for just 15 runs while chasing a daunting target of 256. During the game, he was seen animatedly engaging with Head, signaling him to bowl and playfully gesturing with the Impact Player sign.

As the match progressed, Head bowled the second last over, but by that time, SRH had already secured a strong position. He successfully took the wicket of Rajat Patidar. Despite the high-scoring nature of the tournament, RCB could only manage 200 runs for 4 wickets, while SRH's Ishan Kishan scored 79, and Abhishek Sharma contributed 56 and 51 runs, leading SRH to a formidable total.

RCB Secures Top Two Finish

Despite the defeat, RCB clinched a top-two finish in the league. The defending champions performed well throughout the season, winning nine out of their fourteen matches. They are set to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. Although SRH finished with the same points as RCB and GT, their inferior run rate prevented them from securing a top-two spot.