Harshit Rana has been targetted for his inclusion in Indian team's all three formats.
Former national selector Kris Srikkanth began the debate, claiming that Rana is continually selected across all formats because he is a "constant yes man" to the former India opening batter.
Gambhir, who has never backed down, delivered the appropriate response to Srikkanth when he addressed the media following the completion of the second Test against the West Indies.
Gambhir did not mince words when he appealed for extra prudence and not to say anything only to increase YouTube views.
R. Ashwin has now weighed in, claiming that personal attacks have no place in sports. Ashwin, who had earlier questioned Rana's spot based on his performance in the IPL 2024 season, agreed with Gambhir, stating the criticism should be justified and not just there for the sake of it.
“I have always reiterated that no player should be attacked below the belt. When the attack becomes too personal, the genre changes. I would like to talk about Sanjay Manjrekar, who has criticized me throughout my career. But I have never held any grudge against him. What they say might be right or wrong; as long as the criticism doesn't get personal, I am fine with it,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
“Assume Harshit sees the reel in which he is being harshly criticized, and he is about to play a match for India; wouldn't he be shattered by this? And if his parents and friends see it, what will be their mindset? We can definitely criticize their skill, their style of cricket, and the trade that they are plying. But it shouldn't get personal. It may be funny once or twice, but it shouldn't be a running theme. The reason they are doing this is that there is an audience for it. Negativity sells these days. They sell whatever is in demand. We should avoid consuming such content,” he added.
Harshit Rana rose to prominence with his performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL, where Gambhir served as a mentor for the side, winning the tournament in 2024. Rana then made his India debut in all three formats in 2024.
Ashwin said that he fully sympathizes with Rana, as the trolling and its vicious nature can affect anyone.
“Everyone's targeting Harshit Rana left, right, and center. Let me ask you one thing: if the same Harshit performs well next year, will the same people put him on the same pedestal and celebrate him? I am certainly disappointed. My request through this channel has always been to see cricket as cricket. Don't buy or consume trash talk because that well could be your friend, your family, your son, your brother, or your sister," Ashwin added.