IPL 2026 SRH Vs RCB: Virat Kohli Ignoes Handshake With Travis Head, Video Goes Viral

The IPL 2026 clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru saw drama well beyond SRH’s 55-run win at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on May 22, as a tense exchange involving Virat Kohli and Travis Head after the match quickly drew heavy attention online.

Cameras appeared to show Virat Kohli moving past Travis Head at the post-match handshake line, while still greeting Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. The clip spread rapidly on social media, with viewers debating whether Kohli had deliberately skipped the handshake with the Australian opener.

IPL 2026 SRH vs RCB handshake row and on-field verbal duels

The handshake moment followed a series of fiery exchanges between the two during the IPL 2026 contest. During SRH’s innings, Kohli responded with an intense celebration when Rasikh Salam Dar bowled Head for 26, signalling that the tension between the pair had started long before the players left the field.

The verbal battle between Kohli and Head grew sharper during RCB’s reply. Kohli was caught on camera speaking heatedly towards Head and making animated gestures. Kohli also appeared to challenge Head to bowl, inviting the part-time spinner to try an over against a strong RCB batting line-up.

In the second half of the IPL 2026 game, Travis Head later took the ball and made an immediate impact. Head dismissed RCB captain Rajat Patidar, who had been steady on 56 from 39 balls, adding further spice to a contest already coloured by the earlier exchanges with Kohli.

Virat Kohli didn't shake hands with Travis Head after the match ended. pic.twitter.com/74UEXm1aUV— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) May 22, 2026

IPL 2026 SRH vs RCB scorecard, batting fireworks and bowling control

SRH’s commanding total in this IPL 2026 fixture came from a fierce top-order assault. Ishan Kishan smashed 79 off 46 deliveries and earned the Player of the Match award, while Abhishek Sharma hammered 56 from just 22 balls. Heinrich Klaasen added further late power with a quickfire 51 from 24 deliveries.

Those efforts lifted SRH to 255 for 4, leaving RCB with a target of 256. Bengaluru’s chase never fully caught fire despite Rajat Patidar’s fighting 56 and an unbeaten 41 from Krunal Pandya. SRH’s bowlers maintained tight control and limited RCB to 200 for 4, sealing a 55-run margin.

IPL 2026 playoffs race and SRH vs RCB implications

Despite the heavy defeat to SRH, RCB emerged from this IPL 2026 match still holding second place on the table. A strong Net Run Rate protected RCB’s position in the top two, ensuring the side stayed firmly in contention for the knockouts with the league phase nearing its conclusion.

Virat Kohli didn’t shake hands with Travis Head after the match ended. pic.twitter.com/74UEXm1aUV

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) May 22, 2026

SRH, Gujarat Titans and RCB are now level on 18 points in IPL 2026, with Net Run Rate separating the three teams. With these results, the top three playoff slots are secure, but the final qualification place remains contested among Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

The IPL 2026 meeting between SRH and RCB therefore delivered both high-scoring action and a headline-grabbing post-match subplot, as an apparent snub between Virat Kohli and Travis Head added another storyline to a contest that also shaped the playoff picture for several teams.