When Virat Kohli and Travis Head Teamed Up to Dismiss Pat Cummins

A Rivalry Born of Recent Tensions

The IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on May 22 served as a flashpoint for a heated rivalry between two titans of the game: Virat Kohli and Travis Head. As the two stars clashed on the field, stump microphones picked up aggressive exchanges, and post-match scenes—including a notable avoidance of handshakes—fueled widespread speculation regarding their relationship. It appeared to be the peak of a deep-seated animosity between two players representing different camps.

However, the narrative of modern cricket is rarely linear. While current headlines focus on their heated interactions in 2026, a look back at the archives reveals a fascinating chapter where these two competitors were not enemies, but teammates.

The 2017 Connection: When Kohli and Head Were Teammates

Rewinding to the 56th match of the 2017 IPL season, the dynamic was entirely different. Playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, both Kohli and Head shared the same dressing room. The setting was the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, where RCB faced the Delhi Daredevils in a high-stakes encounter.

In that fixture, RCB posted a competitive total of 161 runs. Virat Kohli, leading from the front as skipper, anchored the innings with a composed 58, supported by Chris Gayle’s explosive 48 off 38 balls. Travis Head, while failing to make a significant impact with the bat during that particular innings, was about to play a pivotal role in the field alongside his captain.

The Dismissal of Pat Cummins

The match took a fascinating turn during the second innings. Delhi Daredevils were chasing the target, and after losing early wickets including Sanju Samson and others, the team found themselves in a precarious position at 87 for 4. It was then that a young Pat Cummins, who had earlier impressed with the ball by taking two wickets, stepped up to the crease at No. 7.

Cummins showed early promise, even attempting to take charge against his Australian compatriot, Travis Head. After rotating the strike, Cummins connected with a powerful shot, depositing a delivery from Head for a six over the mid-wicket boundary. The Delhi crowd erupted in hope, sensing a shift in momentum.

But the joy was short-lived. In a display of tactical coordination, Kohli and Head immediately countered. On the final ball of the 16th over, Head delivered a wide, full-length ball outside off-stump. Cummins, looking to capitalize again, went for a full swing. Instead of finding the boundary, the ball caught the toe-end of his bat and sailed directly to long-off. Virat Kohli, perfectly positioned, completed a comfortable catch. The duo celebrated the dismissal together, a stark contrast to the frosty relationship witnessed years later.

Reflecting on the Evolution of Careers

Fast forward nine years, and the landscape of international cricket has shifted dramatically. The camaraderie displayed in 2017 seems like a lifetime ago for fans observing the 2026 encounters. Both Kohli and Head are now in the latter stages of their illustrious careers, and the intensity with which they play reflects the fierce competitive spirit that has defined them for over a decade.

This historical anecdote serves as a reminder of how quickly the tides turn in professional sports. Teammates can become rivals, and strategies that once secured victories can become the subject of intense scrutiny in future matchups. Whether this current tension is a permanent fixture or merely a passionate phase of high-stakes competition, the records show that at one point in time, Virat Kohli and Travis Head were two players working in perfect harmony to dismiss one of the world’s most formidable bowlers.

As cricket fans look ahead, the story of these three players—Kohli, Head, and Cummins—remains one of the most compelling subplots in the modern IPL era, bridging the gap between past alliances and present-day friction.