ViratKohli’s no-handshake with Travis Head “could be avoided,” says IrfanPathan

Kohli’s rivalry with Australian players has, time and again, produced memorable moments over the years.

ViratKohligarnered more attention on Friday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) crashed to a 55-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their final IPL 2026 league fixture. He hogged all the attention for his aggressive approach towards Travis Head. During his brief stay at the crease, he was spotted pointing towards Head, signalling him to come and bowl. Kohli also teased him with the Impact Player gesture.

IrfanPathan says ViratKohli could’ve avoided the handshake snub.

SRH usually use Head as an Impact Player, introducing him when they bat. But on Friday, Head wasn’t an Impact Player and was also present during RCB’s run chase. After the match, when both teams were doing the customary handshakes, Kohli also ignored Head, walking past the Aussie opener without acknowledging him. Speaking to JioHotstar, IrfanPathan said, “Yes, I was doing commentary at that time. Look, Virat also likes to play cricket the way the Australians do. Little banter, little aggression, little talk of ‘okay, come down and bowl some deliveries.’ That’s what he was saying, “You are not an Impact Player.” Generally, he is an Impact Player, and he goes out of the field. He asked him to bowl, something happened, and he was calling him as well. Look what happened after the game. I am not going to talk much about it. But what happened on the field, it’s okay, it happens. You want to play aggressively, you want to wear your heart on the sleeve and that little banter, little aggression.” But Pathan also felt that Kohli should have avoided the handshake snub. “This could be avoided,” he added.

ViratKohli’s rivalry history with Australian players.

Over the years, Kohli’s rivalry with Australian players has produced memorable moments. This incident carried shades of that familiar competitive edge. Netizens and fans soon took to social media with clips of Kohli teasing Head and later ignoring him. Some supporters backed Kohli’s intensity, and others felt that it was unnecessary. Meanwhile, it also showed Head’s stature in world cricket. Over the last few years, he has developed a reputation for thriving in big moments, especially against India.