The debate surrounding young pacer Harshit Rana has intensified in recent days. His inclusion in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia sparked criticism, with former national selector Kris Srikkanth accusing Rana of being a “constant yes man” to head coach Gautam Gambhir. The remarks triggered a strong response from Gambhir, who addressed the media after India’s second Test against the West Indies, urging critics to be more responsible and cautioning against speaking merely for YouTube views.Ravichandran Ashwin has now joined the conversation, defending Gambhir’s stance and highlighting the need to avoid personal attacks on players. The veteran spinner acknowledged that criticism is part of sport but said it must be fair and focused on cricketing performance rather than personal lives. “I have always believed that no player should be attacked below the belt. When criticism turns personal, it crosses a line,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “I have faced Sanjay Manjrekar’s critiques throughout my career, but I never held a grudge. What matters is that criticism remains about the game, not personal attacks.” Ashwin also spoke about the emotional impact on young players like Rana. “Imagine Harshit sees harsh criticism just before he is about to play for India. How would that affect him? And his family and friends? It’s fine to critique skills, technique, or style, but it shouldn’t get personal. Negativity sells these days because there is an audience for it. We should avoid consuming such content.” Rana’s situation has been under the microscope ever since his debut coincided with IPL 2024 retentions. Despite being in the T20I squad, he did not debut immediately, only playing after the retentions were finalised when Kolkata Knight Riders picked him as an uncapped player. He later went on to debut in all three formats of international cricket. Ashwin expressed sympathy for Rana, acknowledging how relentless trolling can take a toll on young cricketers. “Everyone seems to be targeting Harshit from all directions. Let’s be honest, if he performs well next year, will the same people celebrate him?” he asked. He concluded with a heartfelt plea to fans and followers: “See cricket for what it is. Don’t buy into trash talk. That negativity could easily be aimed at your friend, your family, or even someone close to you. Let’s focus on the game and not the personal attacks.”
