New Delhi, Oct 14 (NationPress) India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has criticized former player and ex-chief selector Kris Srikkanth for suggesting that fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana was chosen for the upcoming ODI series in Australia based on personal connections with Gambhir.

Srikkanth's comments, made on his YouTube channel earlier this month, implied that Rana's selection was driven more by personal ties than by merit, referencing his previous stint with Gambhir as a mentor at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) before Gambhir took on the role of India’s head coach in July 2024.

In a post-match press conference following India's seven-wicket victory over the West Indies, securing a 2-0 Test series win at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Gambhir firmly defended both the selection process and Rana’s capabilities, condemning individuals who attack young players for views on their YouTube channels.

“It’s quite shameful, and I’ll be straightforward with you. It’s incredibly unfair to target a 23-year-old for the sake of your YouTube channel because ultimately, his father isn’t a former chairman or cricketer or even an NRI. Regardless of his cricketing abilities, he plays based on his strengths and will continue to excel on his own merit. Targeting someone personally is unjust,” he stated.

“You can critique performances, and selectors along with coaches do that. But if you make such remarks about a 23-year-old, and social media amplifies it, just think about the mindset. Someday, your child could be on the receiving end of such comments. We need to recognize he is a 20-year-old, not a 30 or 33-year-old,” he added.

The 22-year-old Rana, hailing from New Delhi, was part of India's victorious T20 Asia Cup squad last month in the UAE and has been selected among four specialist fast bowlers for the three-match ODI series in Australia, commencing on October 19 in Perth. Rana has thus far played two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is for India.

Gambhir emphasized that selections for the national team are based on performance rather than personal relationships. “Criticize me, and I can handle it. However, a 23-year-old is still a child, and that’s unacceptable. We must be cautious about what we say merely to boost our YouTube channels,” he remarked.

“We all share a moral obligation towards Indian cricket. It doesn’t belong solely to me or those in the dressing room; it belongs to every Indian who genuinely wants the sport to thrive. While criticism is allowed, it should focus on performance. Don’t target an individual. You can aim at me, and that’s fine, but don’t attack a young boy. This goes beyond just Harshit’s case; we should refrain from targeting young talents in the future. Performance is crucial, and we all understand that,” Gambhir concluded.