Travis Head and Wife Targeted by Online Abuse After Virat Kohli Snub
"People should consider the impact of their social media comments." – Jess Head
Australian cricketer Travis Head and his wife, Jess Head, have been subjected to a torrent of abusive comments on Instagram following a tense exchange with Indian star Virat Kohli during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match.
The controversy erupted after Kohli declined to shake hands with Head following the match on April 25, 2025. The on-field snub quickly escalated online, with some of the abusive comments posted on Travis Head’s account—including beneath a wedding photo—containing direct threats against his wife and mother.
A Tribal Shift in Fandom
Indian-Australian journalist Bharat Sundaresan stated that the comments were "prompted by Kohli's snub and escalated by his fans." He observed that fandom in Indian cricket has grown increasingly tribalistic. Despite the vitriol, Sundaresan said he spoke with Head, who was fine and advised against any public response to the abuse.
A Call for Kindness
Jess Head, who runs her own public relations firm, responded by urging people to consider the real-world impact of their online words. She called for kindness and support, emphasizing that online platforms should not be used as arenas for personal attacks.
A Pattern of Abuse
This is not the first time the Heads have faced such harassment. The couple also received abuse in 2023 after Travis Head top-scored in the ODI World Cup final, leading Australia to victory over India.