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Virat Kohli IPL Controversies: Whenever Virat Kohli takes the field, the excitement reaches its absolute peak. Kohli is known not only for his game but also for his aggressive demeanor. However, on several occasions, this aggression has escalated into major controversies.
In IPL 2026, Virat Kohli has once again found himself at the center of attention due to his temper. The events that unfolded following the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad have left fans astonished. Let's take a look at five major controversies involving Virat Kohli in the history of the IPL incidents that grabbed significant headlines across the cricketing world.
5 Biggest Virat Kohli IPL Fights
5. IPL 2020: The Famous 'Stare-Down' Battle with Suryakumar Yadav
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The 2020 IPL season was played in the UAE amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. RCB and the Mumbai Indians faced off in Abu Dhabi. The Mumbai team was in a precarious situation, but Suryakumar Yadav stood firm at the crease. During the match, Virat Kohli deliberately approached Suryakumar and subjected him to a prolonged, intensely aggressive stare-down. However, undeterred, Surya met Kohli's gaze head-on and went on to play a magnificent innings that led Mumbai to victory.
4. IPL 2025: Mocking Punjab Kings Captain Shreyas Iyer
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In last year's (2025) IPL, RCB faced off against the Punjab Kings. In this match, Kohli batted until the very end and guided RCB to victory.
In the euphoria of the win, Kohli could not contain his emotions and began openly taunting the Punjab Kings captain, Iyer. Iyer took strong exception to Kohli's antics and, expressing his anger right there on the field, gave Kohli a sharp retort.
3. IPL 2013: Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir
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The feud between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir is nothing new. It dates back to 2013, when Gambhir was the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
During a match played in Bengaluru, when Kohli was dismissed, Gambhir and the KKR team began celebrating aggressively. Kohli could not tolerate this and immediately confronted Gambhir. The situation escalated to such an extent that the two players were on the verge of coming to blows. Eventually, other players from the Kolkata team intervened to separate them.
Also Read: Can Mohammad Amir Play IPL Now?, Pak Bowler Secures British Citizenship
2. IPL 2023: Virat Kohli vs Naveen-ul-Haq and Gautam Gambhir
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In 2023, during a match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Virat Kohli displayed a side of his personality that fans are unlikely to ever forget.
- Clash with Naveen-ul-Haq: During RCB's bowling innings, Lucknow batsman Naveen-ul-Haq was at the crease. Kohli got into a heated verbal exchange with him. Kohli also ended up clashing with Amit Mishra, who had stepped in to mediate the situation. Even while shaking hands after the match, a heated argument ensued between the two.
- Gautam Gambhir's Intervention: Lucknow's then-mentor (and current Indian coach), Gautam Gambhir, did not take kindly to Kohli's behavior. He stepped in to support Naveen and confronted Kohli right there on the field. This controversy dominated the headlines for weeks.
1. IPL 2026: Virat Kohli vs Travis Head 'No Handshake' Controversy
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Virat Kohli's latest controversy stems from IPL 2026. The match in question took place at the Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad, featuring a clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
When the RCB team came out to bat, a verbal altercation erupted between Kohli and the Australian player, Travis Head. While Head remained composed throughout the exchange, Kohli appeared to be constantly provoking him. The controversy did not end there; Hyderabad went on to win the match, and during the customary post-match handshakes between the two teams, Kohli notably refused to shake hands with Travis Head. A video of this incident is currently going viral across social media platforms.
Also Read: IPL 2026: Top 5 Reasons Behind Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Failure
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