Travis Head and his wife suffer online abuse after cricketer's spat with India's Kohli during IPL match

Australian cricketer Travis Head and his wife, Jessica, have become the targets of a significant online backlash after a heated on-field exchange with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. The incident, which occurred during a T20 game between Head's Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru, saw the players engage in a verbal spat.

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I woke up to my socials blasting … we are fine but they are attacking my friends and family.

The confrontation took place before Kohli was dismissed for 15 runs, contributing to his team's heavy 55-run defeat. In a display of lingering tension, Kohli notably ignored Head's outstretched hand during the customary post-game handshake, though he did acknowledge other players.

In the aftermath, the Instagram accounts of both Travis Head and Jessica Head were flooded with abusive comments, widely believed to originate from fans of the former Indian captain. Jessica Head revealed that the abuse extended beyond her and her husband, with friends and family also receiving hateful private messages. She shared her distress, stating, "I woke up to my socials blasting… we are fine but they are attacking my friends and family."

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Passion will always be part of sport, but so is remembering there are real people and families behind the game.

Jessica Head appealed for a more compassionate approach to sports, emphasizing the human element behind the athletes. "Passion will always be part of sport, but so is remembering there are real people and families behind the game," she said. "Hopefully, this encourages more kindness and support for one another." She also noted a disturbing similarity to the abuse she and her family experienced after the 2023 Cricket World Cup final, where Australia defeated host nation India.

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Hopefully, this encourages more kindness and support for one another.