New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) India head coach Gautam Gambhir today refuted former captain Kris Srikkanth’s claim that pacer Harshit Rana was selected for the upcoming ODI series against Australia due to his personal influence.
Srikkanth, on his YouTube channel, had alleged that Rana was included in the squad as Gambhir’s “yes man.”
Speaking after India’s seven-wicket win over West Indies in the second Test, which secured a 2-0 series sweep, Gambhir described the allegation as “shameful” and “unfair” toward the 23-year-old Delhi cricketer.
“Look, it is so unfair that you are targeting a 23-year-old kid for the sake of your YouTube channel. Whatever cricket he has played so far, he has played on his own, and he will continue to do so. Targeting someone individually is not right,” Gambhir said.
He added, “You can target performance, and selectors and coaches do that. But if you say such things about a young player and social media amplifies it, imagine the mindset it creates. In future, anyone’s kid can be targeted. At least realise he is only 23 years old.”
Gambhir emphasized that criticism should be limited to performance rather than personal targeting.
“You can criticise me, that’s fine. But don’t target a young boy. Indian cricket belongs to everyone, not to individuals in the dressing room. We all have a moral responsibility to protect it. Criticism should be based on performance, not to run a channel or target someone,” he said.
Rana, who has featured in two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20 Internationals since Gambhir took over last year, recently played in India’s victorious Asia Cup match. The three-match ODI series against Australia begins on October 19.
