In a recent statement, India's esteemed off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defended young speedster Harshit Rana against a wave of criticism regarding his selection for the ODI squad against Australia. Ashwin emphasized that criticism in sports should focus on skill and not become personal.
Following his selection, Rana faced backlash, notably after comments made by head coach Gautam Gambhir. Ashwin supported Gambhir's plea to refrain from commentary solely aimed at gaining traction on social media. As Ashwin pointed out, "When the attack becomes too personal, the genre changes." He mentioned his own experiences with criticism, particularly referencing ex-cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar.
Ashwin highlighted the potential emotional toll that negative commentary can have on players, stating, "Assume Harshit sees the reel in which he is being harshly criticized, wouldn't he be shattered?" He urged fans and commentators alike to differentiate between constructive critique and personal attacks. This plea for sportsmanship comes at a critical time as Harshit gears up for the upcoming ODI series.
| Player | Position | Status |
|---|
| Shubman Gill | Captain | Included |
| Rohit Sharma | Batsman | Included |
| Virat Kohli | Batsman | Included |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler | Included |
As Harshit prepares for his debut in the ODI series against Australia starting on October 19, the cricketing world watches closely, eager to see how he excels under pressure. Ashwin’s support highlights the camaraderie within the team amidst critique and ever-present media scrutiny.