Virender Sehwag has entered the debate around Ajinkya Rahane’s recent public responses, arguing that cricketers should deal with criticism calmly rather than getting drawn into emotional back-and-forth. Rahane’s name has been in the spotlight after he reacted sharply to questions about his strike rate in Kolkata Knight Riders’ recent campaign, following their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Rahane’s strike-rate response draws attention
Rahane came under scrutiny after KKR’s clash versus Sunrisers Hyderabad, where questions were raised about his strike rate. The KKR captain pushed back on the criticism by pointing to his recent returns and suggesting that detractors may not be watching the game closely—or may hold a particular agenda against him.
In his defence, Rahane said that his strike rate has been among the best so far since 2023, and that people who are talking about it might be missing context or are simply not supportive of him playing his role.
Sehwag urges composure instead of public arguments
Commenting on Rahane’s approach, Sehwag felt the captain was getting involved in debates that could have been avoided. He referenced Rahane’s earlier headline-making reaction as well—when Rahane redirected a question about Cameron Green’s absence with the ball after KKR’s opening defeat to Mumbai Indians, pointing instead toward Cricket Australia.
Sehwag suggested that if a captain is asked why a player isn’t bowling, the responsibility is to respond directly rather than deflecting it. He also stressed that players should remain neutral when criticism targets their form or style, because praise and criticism are both part of the sport.
- Sehwag said Rahane, as captain, was asked why Cameron Green wasn’t bowling after the opening loss to Mumbai Indians, but did not give a straight answer and told the questioner to approach Cricket Australia.
- He then added that while players can understand criticism, they should not escalate it into fights in public.
- Sehwag questioned the need to engage in such exchanges when strike-rate or batting-style doubts are raised.
Lessons from Indian cricket legends
Sehwag also drew comparisons with some of the biggest figures in Indian cricket, highlighting that legends typically handled criticism without needing to respond publicly. He cited the example of Amitabh Bachchan’s attitude toward critics, and then underlined Tendulkar as another case where the response to negative coverage was minimal.
Sehwag noted that even when a newspaper once played with the idea of “Endulkar” in reference to Tendulkar, the batting legend remained an example of how criticism does not always require immediate reaction.
KKR’s start to IPL 2026: Rahane’s form and Green’s fitness
On the field, Rahane’s season began with promise. He scored 67 off 40 balls against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, striking at 167.5. But he was unable to carry that momentum forward, managing only eight runs from 10 deliveries in KKR’s first home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
KKR’s wider campaign has also been under strain. They have lost their opening two matches, and their third fixture against Punjab Kings ended with a point after rain forced an abandonment.
The rain-affected Punjab Kings game
In that match, KKR were already facing pressure at 25/2 in 3.4 overs. Finn Allen and Cameron Green were dismissed cheaply before the weather intervened and brought the contest to a stop.
Why balance and batting order are under pressure
The concerns are not limited to results. The batting order has not been clicking, and Rahane’s role in the top order—opening the innings—has become part of the conversation. At the same time, Green’s continued absence with the ball, linked to injury management, has increased uncertainty about how KKR will structure their XI and balance their attack.
- KKR lost their first two matches of the season.
- They received a point in the third game versus Punjab Kings due to rain forcing an abandonment.
- Against Punjab Kings, KKR were 25/2 in 3.4 overs when Finn Allen and Cameron Green were dismissed.
- KKR’s batting order has struggled to find consistency, with Rahane’s decision to open drawing attention.
- Cameron Green’s ongoing unavailability with the ball because of injury management has added to the team’s instability.
As the situation develops, the debate around Rahane’s approach off the field continues to run alongside KKR’s search for stability on it. Stay with the latest IPL updates, live scoring, schedules, points standings, and the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
