Former India cricket star Virender Sehwag is stepping into the spotlight off the pitch, set to host the second season of the streaming reality show 'Rise & Fall' on Amazon MX Player. Speaking during promotions in Mumbai on 23 September 2026, Sehwag drew on his legendary batting philosophy to explain how he approaches pressure — and why he believes the same mindset works in life.

Sehwag on Pressure: The Cricketer's Creed

'I think pressure is not something that you take, it's about giving the pressure back to the opponent,' Sehwag said at the promotional event held at a five-star property in the city. 'I always believed in it, and that was my way of taking the pressure away from my team as well. If I scored the boundary in the first few balls of the innings, the pressure would shift towards the bowler, and then his focus would shift towards stopping the runs, and not sending me to the pavilion.'

The former opener, celebrated for his fearless strokeplay at the top of the order, added that the principle extends well beyond cricket. 'For me, this works in life as well. You can't give your 100% if the pressure gets to you. It's better, if you stay unfettered by the pressure, and work your way up,' he said.

Sehwag Replaces Ashneer Grover as Host

Virender Sehwag takes over hosting duties from Ashneer Grover, who fronted the first season. The switch marks Sehwag's debut as a reality-show host on a streaming platform — a new chapter for one of India's most recognisable sporting personalities. The show is produced by Banijay Asia and will premiere on 26 September on Amazon MX Player.

Format, Contestants and New Twists

The second season features 15 contestants competing over 42 days in a game structured around power, strategy, alliances, and shifting fortunes. Participants are divided into two groups: the Rulers, who govern the game from the Tower, and the Workers, who live in the Basement and fight for opportunities to move up.

Notably, Season 2 introduces audience participation as a new layer, giving viewers the power to influence who becomes a Ruler or a Worker — a dynamic that could significantly alter in-game power equations.

Among the confirmed contestants are Swara Bhasker, Karan Patel, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, Shehzad Poonawalla, Gautam Gulati, Tej Pratap Yadav, Sara Gurpal, and Kajal Raghwani — a mix of actors, political figures, and entertainers that signals a broader reach than a typical Bollywood-centric cast.

What to Expect When It Drops

With its premiere scheduled for 26 September, 'Rise & Fall' Season 2 enters a competitive streaming reality space. The combination of a high-profile host, audience voting power, and a diverse celebrity ensemble positions the show as one of the more anticipated reality offerings of the season. All eyes will be on whether Sehwag's off-pitch presence carries the same authority as his on-pitch aggression.