Ajinkya Rahane made 67, 8 and 8* in three games for KKR in IPL 2026.
Rahane was asked about his strike rate after the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he stated that he has been one of the tournament's top scorers in recent years.
“My strike rate… I have 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.
Rahane also responded bluntly regarding Cameron Green's bowling availability during the season-opening loss to the Mumbai Indians. He had said that this question should be asked to Cricket Australia and not him.
Sehwag stated that if a cricketer is questioned about his strike rate or batting style, he or she needs to take it head-on and give neutral answers, rather than react negatively to it. He added that Rahane does not need to engage in such unnecessary battles with critics.
“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 said on Cricbuzz.
“It may seem like you are answering critics, but even Bachchan saab never did that. There can be no bigger example than Tendulkar. One newspaper even wrote ‘Endulkar’. Did he respond? If you respond, it becomes a win for the critics, not for you,” Sehwag added.
Despite starting his IPL 2026 with a fluent 67 off 40 deliveries at a strike rate of 167.5 against the Mumbai Indians, Rahane could only manage eight off 10 deliveries in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ first home match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.