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

A Rivalry Born from History

In the high-octane environment of the Indian Premier League, rivalries are forged in the heat of competition. During the 2026 season, the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) became a focal point for cricket fans, largely due to the visible tension between Virat Kohli and Travis Head. With stump microphones picking up sharp exchanges and post-match handshakes being avoided, the discourse surrounding these two giants of the game has been intense. However, to truly understand the dynamics of their relationship, one must look back nearly a decade to a time when they were not opponents, but teammates working toward a common goal.

The 2017 IPL: When Kohli and Head Stood Together

The year was 2017, and the stage was the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. During the 56th match of the tournament, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (as they were known then) faced off against the Delhi Daredevils. In that iteration of the team, both Virat Kohli and Travis Head wore the same jersey, representing the franchise under Kohli’s captaincy.

Batting first, the RCB lineup posted a competitive total of 161 runs. Virat Kohli led from the front with a masterful 58, supported by Chris Gayle’s aggressive 48 off 38 deliveries. While Travis Head did not enjoy a fruitful outing with the bat—falling for just two runs—his true impact on the game arrived when the match shifted to the second innings.

The Dismissal of Pat Cummins

The match took a fascinating turn when Pat Cummins, playing for the Delhi Daredevils, walked out to bat. At the time, a younger Cummins was already showing the all-around promise that would eventually make him one of the world’s finest captains. With Delhi struggling at 87 for 4, Cummins looked to stabilize the innings and chase down the target.

Cummins began his innings against his eventual Australian teammate, Travis Head, with immediate intent. After a cautious start, he launched a massive six off Head’s bowling, sending the ball soaring over the mid-wicket boundary. The Delhi fans erupted, sensing that a match-winning cameo was in the works. But the joy was short-lived, as the duo of Kohli and Head orchestrated a brilliant comeback in the very next delivery.

The Tactical Ploy

Recognizing the danger Cummins posed, the tandem of the captain and the bowler devised a plan. On the final ball of the 16th over, Travis Head delivered a wide, full ball outside the off-stump. Cummins, attempting to clear the extra cover boundary, only managed to find the toe-end of his bat. The ball drifted comfortably to long-off, where Virat Kohli was stationed. Kohli secured a simple catch, effectively silencing the Delhi crowd and removing the threat.

Reflecting on a Changing Landscape

The sight of Kohli and Head celebrating the wicket of a fellow Australian international is a stark contrast to the friction seen in IPL 2026. Sports, by nature, is cyclical. Teammates become rivals, and professional respect can sometimes be overshadowed by the intense pressure of high-stakes matches.

Today, as both Kohli and Head navigate the latter stages of their storied careers, the narrative has shifted from one of collaboration to one of confrontation. Yet, the 2017 encounter serves as a reminder that before the sledging and the controversy, there was a moment of tactical unity. It highlights the unpredictable nature of professional cricket, where players who once plotted a common opponent’s downfall can eventually find themselves on opposite sides of the crease, pushing each other to the absolute limit.

As fans continue to analyze the current state of the RCB vs. SRH rivalry, it remains valuable to remember that the history between these players is complex, shaped by years of shared dressing rooms and evolving professional boundaries.