India, April 7 -- Former India batter Virender Sehwag has taken a strong stance against Ajinkya Rahane, expressing his displeasure over not one, but two of the Kolkata Knight Riders captain's recent remarks following defeats in their opening matches of IPL 2026. Sehwag even invoked Sachin Tendulkar in a stinging critique of Rahane's approach.

The first comment that drew Sehwag's attention was Rahane's dig at Cricket Australia when he was asked why Cameron Green had not bowled in the match against Mumbai Indians. The second was Rahane's response to criticism of his strike rate, where he claimed that detractors had a "certain agenda" and were "jealous."

"I don't think players should say all of this," Sehwag said. "I know he is the captain...