Virat Kohli was fuming even before Travis Head approached him after the match; left dugout in anger as RCB chase slipped

The broadcaster's cameras shifted to Virat Kohli, and his expression was that of total disappointment as he got up from his seat and walked away in anger.

Updated on: May 23, 2026, 09:48:29 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Virat Kohli was left fuming on the sidelines as Royal Challengers Bengaluru crashed to a 55-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their final IPL 2026 league phase game. Kohli's anger was well-reflected after the match as he ignored a customary handshake with Travis Head. RCB failed to stretch their winning streak to four games. Despite the defeat, RCB will finish at the top of the IPL 2026 points table. In 14 games, the Rajat Patidar-led side has won 9 and lost 5, with 18 points. Gujarat Titans will finish the league phase in second place with 18 points and a lower NRR. Meanwhile, SRH are third with the same amount of points, but a lower NRR.

Virat Kohli was fuming during RCB's defeat against SRH. (PTI)

Rajasthan Royals are in fourth position with 14 points, but haven't qualified yet. Punjab Kings are fifth with 13 points. Both RR and PBKS have a game left. The same goes for KKR, who have a game left and is sixth with 13 points. Meanwhile, DC also have a chance and is eighth with 12 points. Even DC have a match left.

Also Read: Virat Kohli rejects handshake with Travis Head, walks right past him following heated mid-match exchange – Watch

Despite finishing the league phase at the top of the table, RCB will be concerned about their batting, which was poor vs SRH. Chasing 256 runs, they were restricted to 200/4 in 20 overs. Kohli failed to find any momentum and was dismissed in the sixth over, departing for 15 off 11 balls. Receiving a slow delivery from Sakib Hussain, he ended up hitting it straight to Ravichandran Smaran, who took a simple catch at covers. After Kohli's wicket, RCB were at 74/2 in 5.5 overs.

After the match, a video has gone viral on social media which shows Kohli's frustrated reaction during the run chase. With RCB at 170/3 in 17.4 overs, the broadcaster's cameras shifted to Kohli, and his expression was that of total disappointment as he got up from his seat in the dugout and walked away in anger.

Here is the video:

Rajat Patidar top-scored for RCB with a 39-ball 56. Meanwhile, Eshan Malinga took two wickets for SRH. It was a dominant batting performance from SRH, who posted 255/4 in 20 overs. Ishan Kishan (79), Abhishek Sharma (56) and Heinrich Klaasen (51) got half-centuries.

Speaking after the match, RCB skipper Patidar said, "The top priority was to be on the top, but I think, there were a lot of runs in the first inning. I think 255 is a good score on this wicket. And I think their five bowlers executed the slow bouncers and yorkers pretty well."

"Obviously, Hyderabad, I think it's a good wicket, but when you start bowling slow bouncers, slow into the wicket, I think it's really tough for the batsman to score the runs," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.