Virender Sehwag’s Gen Z kids feared his Rise And Fall 2 hosting debut would hurt his image, but he chose to try something new |

Virender Sehwag is known for his fearless approach to cricket, but his latest career move reportedly left his Gen Z children less than convinced. The former India cricketer has stepped into a new role as the host of the reality show Rise And Fall Season 2, marking his first stint as a reality show host. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Sehwag revealed that his sons, Aryavir and Vedant, questioned his decision to take up the show because they were concerned about the arguments and confrontations that are part of reality television. They feared the format could affect their father’s public image and expose him to viewer criticism. “They were upset, they said, ‘Papa, why are you doing this?’ Because these shows will have fights and arguments. What will you do there? Your image will be spoiled. People will abuse you,” Sehwag recalled. Rather than allowing their concerns to stop him, Sehwag saw the programme as an opportunity to explore a completely different side of his career.

Why Sehwag decided to leave the cricket comfort zone

After years of appearing as a cricket commentator and participating in cricket-focused television programmes, Sehwag said he wanted to experiment with something different. “So, I said, it’s okay, we can try something new. I have done a lot of cricket commentary, I have done a lot of cricket shows. Now perhaps we can try this and see how this show goes,” he said. The former cricketer also explained to his children that hosting a reality show does not necessarily mean becoming part of every confrontation. If contestants argue, he said, his responsibility would be to step in and attempt to handle the situation. “And I said, if people fight, then it is my job to explain things to them, right? So I can try doing that,” Sehwag said.His explanation, however, did not completely convince his children. “They said, ‘Okay, okay, but this is not right.’ So, they are not convinced,” he added. Their reaction highlights an interesting reversal in the usual parent-child dynamic. Instead of a parent worrying about a child’s career choice, Sehwag found himself explaining a professional decision to his sons, who were concerned about how public criticism might affect him.

What to expect from Rise And Fall Season 2

Rise and Fall Season 2 marks a significant change in the show’s hosting lineup, with Sehwag taking over from Ashneer Grover. NDTV previously reported that the season would feature 15 contestants divided into two groups, Rulers and Workers, with the format built around strategy, power shifts, alliances and competition. The official Prime Video listing describes the second season as a game in which Rulers control the game while Workers compete to rise to the top. Contestants face challenges, form alliances and deal with betrayals and votes as their positions change throughout the competition. The second season premiered on September 26, 2026, on Prime Video. The confirmed lineup includes names such as Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, Tej Pratap Yadav, Raj Grover and Kajal Raghwani, among others.For Sehwag, the move represents a departure from the world in which audiences have known him for years. He built his reputation as an aggressive opening batter and later became a familiar voice in cricket commentary. Reality television, by contrast, places the host in the middle of arguments, personalities, alliances and unpredictable moments. That difference may be exactly what Sehwag finds appealing. His children’s concerns also reflect the reality of taking on a highly visible entertainment role. A reality show can expose a host to criticism that is very different from the scrutiny associated with sport. Sehwag, however, appears willing to accept that uncertainty. For now, his approach is straightforward: after spending years discussing cricket, he wants to see whether he can take on a new challenge. And while his sons may still be “not convinced”, Sehwag has decided to give this new innings a chance.