‘Anybody can snap’: Gavaskar on Virat Kohli-Travis Head handshake saga in IPL 2026

MUMBAI: IPL-2026 has delivered thrilling cricket, explosive batting and dramatic finishes, but the tournament has also witnessed heated on-field moments — from aggressive celebrations and unnecessary send-offs to visible player frustration.


One such incident came after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad on Friday, when Virat Kohli appeared to avoid shaking hands with Australia opener Travis Head after the match. During the chase, Kohli was also seen exchanging words with Head.






In another flashpoint earlier this week, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya broke the stumps in frustration after teammates Deepak Chahar and Robin Minz dropped a catch during MI’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders recently in Kolkata.


Reacting to such incidents, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar said emotions can boil over in high-pressure situations.

“In the heat of the moment, things happen. Anybody can snap,” Gavaskar said on Sunday at the launch of the eighth edition of Midwicket Stories.


“Everybody wants to be the best role model possible, but all of us are human and sometimes we fail those standards. Today, everything comes into the public domain much quicker than before,” he added.


Meanwhile, TOI has learnt that neither the BCCI nor the IPL is likely to censure Kohli for not shaking hands with Head, as handshakes fall under the “spirit of cricket” and are not mandatory.


“Even India and Pakistan players don’t always shake hands after matches,” a BCCI source said.
Stay updated with the IPL 2026 Final between RCB and GT on Times of India. Follow live match updates, the latest IPL news, full IPL schedule, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap