Virat Kohli’s refusal to shake hands with Travis Head after the IPL 2026 encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad has quickly turned into one of the season’s most talked-about moments. The handshake refusal did not come out of nowhere, though—there was a clear build-up on the field before the confrontation spilled over after the match. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was commentating when the incident unfolded, has now detailed how the exchange escalated.
What Pathan said happened between Kohli and Head
- Irfan Pathan said he was working on commentary during the key stretch of the game when the banter between Kohli and Head intensified.
- He noted that Kohli, at times, likes to match the intensity and edge seen in Australian-style cricket—where talk and competitive aggression are part of the contest.
- Pathan explained that the conversation moved from ordinary sledging into something sharper, with Kohli effectively challenging Head and telling him to “come and bowl a few deliveries.”
- As the argument grew, Kohli questioned Head’s role in the match setup, pointing out that he was “not an Impact Player” for that game, which Pathan said added fuel to the moment.
- Pathan added that after the exchange, there was more than just words involved—Kohli’s call-out and the reaction around it contributed to the drama.
- When it came to the aftermath, Pathan felt Kohli’s decision to skip the handshake could have been avoided, stressing that the on-field emotion could stay on the field even if the contest got heated.
Pathan also argued that the RCB batter’s gestures during the game were a major part of the escalation. He highlighted that whenever Venkatesh Iyer found the boundary, Kohli continued making Head-related indications, suggesting that the RCB captain had been driving the tension throughout the match rather than letting it dissipate.
Looking beyond Friday night’s flashpoint, there is a wider context to the rivalry this season. So far in IPL 2026, SRH and RCB have met twice, with one result going each way—Bengaluru won their first meeting, while Hyderabad prevailed in the second. With both franchises now having booked their place in the playoffs, another high-stakes clash remains a distinct possibility.
If SRH and RCB do cross paths again, Kohli’s emotions are expected to be running high—particularly after a subdued batting outing on Friday, when he managed just 15 runs off 11 balls before the handshake moment became the story of the night.
