Virender Sehwag advises Ajinkya Rahane to let stats speak amid IPL criticism

Original: "I don't think players should say all of this" - Indian legend's massive take on Ajinkya Rahane's recent comments amid IPL 2026

Sportskeeda•Apr 7, 20263 min

In a Nutshell

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag believes Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane should refrain from defending his batting style against critics. Following recent comments about his strike rate, Sehwag emphasized that Rahane's performance statistics should speak for themselves, urging him to focus on his game instead.

Key Points

01Virender Sehwag advises Ajinkya Rahane to avoid engaging with critics.
02Rahane's recent comments came after a loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
03Sehwag highlights Rahane's impressive strike rates over the past few IPL seasons.
04Rahane scored 67 runs off 40 balls against Mumbai Indians, showcasing his capability.
05Sehwag compares Rahane's situation to legendary cricketers who ignored criticism.

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Full Summary

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian cricketer, expressed his views on Ajinkya Rahane's recent comments regarding his batting style amid criticism following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2026. Rahane defended his strike rate, asserting he has one of the best in the tournament, but Sehwag advised him not to engage with critics. He emphasized that players should remain neutral to both praise and criticism, citing examples from cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan, who chose not to respond to detractors. Sehwag pointed out that Rahane's impressive strike rates of 172.48 in IPL 2023, 123.46 in 2024, and 147.72 in 2025 should suffice as a defense against criticism. He concluded that Rahane should let his performance on the field speak for itself, rather than getting drawn into unnecessary battles with critics.

Key Figures