Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Harshit Rana from Criticism

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s celebrated off-spinner, recently addressed the unjust criticism aimed at young pacer Harshit Rana following his selection for the ODI squad against Australia. Ashwin, in a heartfelt message on his YouTube channel, emphasized the importance of constructive criticism over personal attacks.

The backdrop of this situation involves significant remarks from India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who criticized the public discourse surrounding Rana’s selection based on superficial metrics. Ashwin stated, “Critiques on performance are valid, but they should never cross the line into personal attacks.” He pointed out that the modern trend of criticism often seeks engagement for views rather than substance.

“If Harshit views a harsh critique just before his match, it can be incredibly demoralizing—not only for him but for his family and friends. We should separate player performance discussions from personal insults,” Ashwin added.

Relaying his personal experiences, Ashwin mentioned several past critics, including Sanjay Manjrekar, and stressed that while criticism is part of sports, it should maintain a level of respect.

As the ODI series against Australia looms, featuring players like Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, and of course, Harshit Rana, fans and analysts are reminded of the importance of support over negativity in sports.