Sehwag Urges Composure as Rahane Faces IPL Scrutiny Over Strike Rate
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has offered his perspective on the increasing scrutiny surrounding Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane, emphasizing that players should respond to criticism with calmness rather than emotional reactions. This comes after Rahane found himself in the spotlight for his strong responses to questions about his performance in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
Rahane's Defiant Stance on Strike Rate Criticism
Rahane recently reacted sharply to queries about his strike rate following KKR's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Defending his approach, the skipper pointed to his statistics from recent seasons and pushed back against critics. "My strike rate... I have one of the best strike rates so far, from 2023. People who are talking are probably not watching the game or have a certain agenda against me. They don't like me playing," Rahane stated. This was not the first time Rahane made headlines for his comments; earlier, he directed a question about Cameron Green's absence with the ball toward Cricket Australia after KKR's opening loss to Mumbai Indians.
Sehwag's Advice: Avoid Unnecessary Exchanges
Reacting to these developments, Sehwag expressed that Rahane was engaging in avoidable exchanges and advocated for a more balanced approach. "I don't think players should say all of this. I know he is the captain and he was asked why Cameron Green isn't bowling. He didn't have a straight answer for that, so he said to ask Cricket Australia. I can understand that. But if someone is questioning my strike rate or batting style, people will praise you and criticise you, but you have to be neutral with both. Why is there a need to engage in such fights?" Sehwag questioned during a discussion on Cricbuzz.
Learning from Legends: Tendulkar and Bachchan
Drawing parallels with iconic figures in Indian cricket and beyond, Sehwag highlighted how legends handled criticism without public reactions. "They seem to be answering the critics, but even Bachchan saab (Amitabh Bachchan) never answered his critics. There couldn't be a bigger example than Tendulkar, one newspaper had even written 'Endulkar,'" Sehwag added, underscoring the importance of maintaining dignity under pressure.
KKR's Struggles in IPL 2026
On the field, Rahane's performance has been mixed. He began IPL 2026 with a fluent 67 off 40 balls against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, striking at 167.5. However, he followed this up with just eight runs off 10 deliveries in KKR's first home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The criticism has intensified as Kolkata Knight Riders endure a difficult start to the season, losing their opening two matches and receiving a point in their third fixture against Punjab Kings after rain forced an abandonment.
In that rain-affected match, KKR were already under pressure at 25/2 in 3.4 overs, with Finn Allen and Cameron Green dismissed cheaply before the weather intervened. The team's struggles extend beyond results, with their batting order failing to click and Rahane's decision to open facing scrutiny. Additionally, Green's continued absence with the ball due to injury management has added to the uncertainty around the side's balance, compounding the challenges for the franchise.
