Australia's opening batter, Travis Head has finally weighed in on the handshake controversy involving Virat Kohli, which became one of the hottest topics during IPL 2026. Head brushed off any rumors of a fallout with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star, stating there was "nothing to patch over" following their brief interaction after the match.
This incident unfolded during the IPL 2026 game between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad, where it seemed like Kohli walked right past Head without offering a handshake. The footage quickly went viral, sparking speculation about a rift between the two players.
A few months after the controversy, Head made it clear that he does not see the incident as a personal issue. According to the Australian opener, such moments are part of a highly competitive tournament and do not need further attention. Head said during an interview, "I don't think there's anything to patch over. That's just that's what it is. No surprises with how the competition went or what went on. So as expected."
Travis Head Praises Wife Jessica After Online Abuse Following IPL Controversy
While Head brushed aside the rumours surrounding Kohli, he admitted the controversy had a bigger impact on his family. His wife, Jessica Davies, later revealed that she received abusive messages on social media after the handshake clip spread online.
The Australian batter took a moment to commend his wife for her calm demeanor throughout the whole ordeal. He mentioned how Jessica managed the situation with such maturity, as he said, "I think Jessica and I have a great perspective on things. That's the world we live in, and I think she's amazing in how she handles that kind of stuff. It was more the family stuff was built around it, flowing on to other family members who don't particularly see that sort of stuff."
This incident took place during the IPL 2026 league stage when Head was playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kohli was on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team. Although the post-match footage ignited a lot of discussions, Head's recent comments indicate that he never really saw it as a serious conflict. His words seem to wrap up months of speculation surrounding that viral moment.
The two teams also had very different endings to their season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their IPL title by beating Gujarat Titans in the final held in Ahmedabad, marking their second consecutive championship. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad made it to the Eliminator but were eliminated by Rajasthan Royals. With Head now openly clarifying his stance, it seems the handshake incident has turned into yet another example of an on-field moment that garnered way more attention than the players themselves thought it warranted.
