Kamal Ghorui
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has weighed in on the growing scrutiny around Ajinkya Rahane, suggesting that players should respond to criticism with composure rather than emotion.Rahane recently found himself in the spotlight after reacting strongly to questions about his strike rate following Kolkata Knight Riders’ clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Defending his approach, the KKR skipper pointed to his numbers in recent seasons and pushed back against critics.“My strike rate… I have one of the best strike rate 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 had said.The KKR captain had earlier also made headlines for his sharp response regarding Cameron Green’s absence with the ball after their opening loss to Mumbai Indians, directing the query towards Cricket Australia.Reacting to these comments, Sehwag felt Rahane was engaging in avoidable exchanges and urged 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,” Sehwag said while speaking on Cricbuzz.“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.Drawing parallels with some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, Sehwag pointed out 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.On the field, Rahane began IPL 2026 with a fluent 67 off 40 balls against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, striking at 167.5. However, he followed it up with just eight runs off 10 deliveries in KKR’s first home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.The criticism has intensified with Kolkata Knight Riders enduring a difficult start to the season. They lost their opening two matches and were then handed a point in their third fixture against Punjab Kings after rain forced an abandonment.In that 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 have extended beyond results, with their batting order failing to click and Rahane’s decision to open. Meanwhile, Green’s continued absence with the ball due to injury management has added to the uncertainty around the side’s balance.
