Ravi Ashwin Defends Harshit Rana Amid Social Media Trolling Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ravi Ashwin, has come out in defense of pacer Harshit Rana after fans trolled him on social media following his inclusion in India’s squad for the Australia series. Ravi Ashwin criticized those making personal attacks against Rana, emphasizing that such behavior was uncalled for.
Rana, a consistent presence in the Indian team, has been named in both the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Australia. While Ravi Ashwin had previously questioned Rana’s selection, he acknowledged that the pacer must possess notable talent to have earned the selectors’ trust.
The trolling intensified after former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth joked that Rana’s opportunities stemmed from being head coach Gautam Gambhir’s “favourite.” Fans responded by floodi
Ravi Ashwin Questions Personal Attacks on Harshit Rana: “Wouldn’t He Be Shattered?”
Ravi Ashwin has come out strongly against the online trolling targeting young cricketer Harshit Rana. Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin urged fans to keep criticism focused on performance rather than making it personal.
“Imagine Harshit sees a reel where he’s being harshly criticised just before playing a match for India—wouldn’t that shatter him? And if his parents and friends see it, how would that affect them? Criticise their skills or style of cricket, yes—but it shouldn’t get personal,” Ravi Ashwin said.
He added, “It might seem funny once or twice, but it shouldn’t become a running theme. People create such content because there’s an audience for it. Negativity sells these days, but we should avoid consuming it.”
Reflecting on his own career, Ravi Ashwin recalled being criticised multiple times by former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar but never taking it personally. “Criticism is fine as long as it doesn’t get personal. Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised me countless times, but I never held a grudge. What they say might be right or wrong, but it shouldn’t attack the person,” said the 39-year-old.
The debate over Rana’s treatment also drew comments from Gautam Gambhir, who indirectly criticised Kris Srikkanth for targeting the young cricketer. During the post-match press conference of India’s second Test against West Indies, Gambhir said, “It’s shameful if you criticise 23-year-olds just to run your YouTube channel. Harshit has made it to the national team on merit—his father isn’t an ex-cricketer or ex-chairman. Targeting individuals is unfair.”
Gambhir added, “Critique their performance; that’s what selectors are for. But saying horrible things about a 23-year-old on social media—how does that affect his mindset?”
Rana, who played a crucial role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 title-winning campaign with 19 wickets, has earned his place across all three formats with Gambhir’s guidance.
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