Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has a word of advice for Ajinkya Rahane. Sehwag's words of wisdom comes after increased scrutiny of Rahane's strike rate in this season's Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Kolkata Knight Riders' captain was asked about the noise around his strike rate after the team's defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad last week. Rahane took offence at the question and claimed that critics discussing his scoring rate are 'jealous' of him. Rahane's agitated response surprised many including Sehwag.
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Another instance of Rahane sounding upset was when he was asked on why Cameron Green, the team's most expensive player this season, was not bowling. The for India player, otherwise known for maintaining a calm demeanor, retorted saying "Ask Cricket Australia".
Seeing his former India teammate irritated, Sehwag has urged Rahane to keep calm.
"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?" he asked.
Sehwag said he was inspired by how his role model Sachin Tendulkar used to handle criticism. In the conversation he also cited the example of actor Amitabh Bachchan. Sehwag believes that the two legends never indulged in a war of words with their critics and handled their criticism with grace.
"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.
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The former hard-hitting batter believes that a player's performance should do all the talking.
"So, I feel one should keep quiet. Score a century and everyone will be quiet. Keep calm and do your work. What else? I don't think these things require an answer," he said.
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