'Woke up to my socials blasting' - Travis Head's wife reveals details of online abuse after Kohli episode during SRH vs RCB clash

Australian cricketer Travis Head’s wife, Jessica, has revealed details on the abuse that she has received on her social media after the heated incident between Head and Virat Kohli during the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Hyderabad on Friday, May 22.

Head and Kohli were involved in a heated face-off during the game, in the aftermath of which Kohli refused to shake hands with the Aussie batter after the completion of the match. Following the incident, sections of fans have flooded Jessica’s Instagram page with hate comments and abusive messages.

“It feels like a repeat of the abuse that happened after the World Cup. I woke up to my socials blasting. We are fine, but they are attacking my friends and family,” she told Australian media outlet The Advertiser.

This is not the first time Travis and Jessica have faced similar vitriolic activity on social media. Similar incidents occurred after the 2023 World Cup Final and World Test Championship Final, both games in which Head put in stellar performances against India. A similar incident also took place after India’s loss to Australia in the Boxing Day Test in 2024.

“I think across all sports at the moment there’s an important conversation around mental health, perspective and the way we speak to one another. Passion will always be part of sport, but so is remembering there are real people and families behind the game. Hopefully, this encourages more kindness and support for one another," Jessica added.

The incident saw Head and Kohli exchange words in the middle during a wide review during RCB's chase. Head reportedly encouraged Kohli to play more attacking cricket, which prompted a response from Kohli, asking the Aussie batter to come onto bowl, while also alluding to the fact that he had been used as an impact player all season.

After Kohli was dismissed, Head responded with a jibe at the batter about being dismissed before he came onto bowl, further intensifying tensions, which culminated with Kohli refusing to shake hands with Head at the end of the game.