Known for his explosive batting and fearless persona on the cricket pitch, Virender Sehwag announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on his birthday, October 20, 2015. Even after hanging up his boots, his distinct charm remained alive among fans as he continued engaging with audiences through commentary. Therefore, when the news broke that he would be hosting 'Rise and Fall' Season 2, viewers were thrilled to witness his unique style in a reality television format.
Initial Hesitation and the Kids' Warning
Virender Sehwag is all set to host the second season of the reality show, which premieres on September 26 on Amazon. Just a day before the premiere, the former legendary cricketer opened up about his new venture in an interview. Sehwag revealed that he had initially declined the offer to host the program. He shared that when the promo was released, his kids were completely unaware of it and questioned why he was taking up a show that involved arguments and fights. He told them that this was another challenge and an opportunity to see how it goes, while expressing gratitude to the teams at Amazon and MX Player for convincing him.
Turning Down the Offer at First
When the proposal to host the show first reached the former cricketer, he turned it down immediately. Recalling the conversation, he mentioned that the makers showed him some clips and assured him that the broadcast was recorded rather than live, urging him not to worry about his concerns. He took it as a personal challenge and praised the production team for offering immense support, expressing hope that he would deliver a good performance. This trend of athletes entering the entertainment industry is growing, with Rohit Sharma hosting 'Family Full House', Sourav Ganguly hosting 'Bigg Boss Bangla', Harbhajan Singh judging 'Roadies', and Shikhar Dhawan judging 'Playground'.
Views on Cricketers Venturing Into Hosting
Discussing the shifting trend of athletes stepping into entertainment, Virender Sehwag noted that such opportunities were simply not available during their playing days, but times have changed. He pointed out that nobody previously imagined a cricketer could host television shows, crediting Sourav Ganguly as the pioneer who hosted 'Dadagiri' and later 'Bigg Boss Bangla'.
