Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now taken a complete 360 degree turn as he praised Harshit Rana and asked him to stop attacks below the belt as they have a serious impact on a player’s personality. Although he has not challenged the criticism, he has strongly opposed selling negativity.
Ravichandran Ashwin as well as former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth started criticizing Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana for consistently performing well for India across all three formats of the game, following which head coach Gautam Gambhir came to his defence.
When Srikanth came to address the media after the end of the Test series against West Indies, the coach criticized him. He flatly refused to say anything to get more views on YouTube.
“I have always reiterated that no player should be attacked below the belt” – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin had also questioned Harshit Rana’s presence in the Indian team and even asked the selectors on what terms do they choose the Indian fast bowler over some more deserving players? However, he has now expressed a different opinion on the issue and claimed that there is no room for personal attacks in the game.
“I have always reiterated that no player should be attacked below the belt. When the attack becomes too personal, the style changes.”
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “I would like to talk about Sanjay Manjrekar, who has criticized me throughout my career. But I have never held any grudge against him. What he says may be right or wrong, as long as the criticism is not personal, I have no problem with it.”
“These days negativity sells. We should avoid consuming such content,” Ashwin says no to objectionable content
Despite earlier taking criticism in a light-hearted tone, Ravichandran Ashwin this time made his stand clear that criticism should never be personal, as it often has an adverse effect on the mindset of the cricketer as well as his family.
“Suppose Harshit sees that reel in which he is being severely criticized, and he is about to play a match for India; won’t he be devastated by this? And if his parents and friends see it, what will be their mindset?” He gave advice.
“We can certainly criticize his skills, his cricketing style and the business he is doing. But it should not be personal. It may be funny once or twice, but it should not be a trend.”
He said, “They are doing this because there is an audience for it. Negativity sells these days. They sell what is in demand. We should avoid consuming such content.”
“My request through this channel has always been to watch cricket as cricket,” Ashwin said.
The fast bowler has been on the radar of the Indian selectors after winning the IPL in 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders, coached by current Indian coach Gautam Gambhir. After the previous criticism, Ravichandran Ashwin now sympathizes with Rana, because now he has started feeling that trolling can affect anyone’s morale.
“Everyone is targeting Harshit Rana left, right and centre. I ask you one thing: If the same Harshit performs well next year, will the same people put him in the same place and celebrate him?” Ashwin asked.
He said, “I am definitely disappointed. My request through this channel has always been to watch cricket as cricket. Don’t buy or consume useless things because it could be your friend, your family, your son, your brother, your sister.”
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