• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Negativity Sells Ashwin Backs Harshit Rana Contradicts Himself After Gambhirs Outburst

"Negativity sells": Ashwin backs Harshit Rana, contradicts himself after Gambhir's outburst

Akshita Patel

Harshit Rana gets new supporter in R Ashwin [Source: @HashTagCricket, @day6596/X.com]Harshit Rana gets new supporter in R Ashwin [Source: @HashTagCricket, @day6596/X.com]

After Gautam Gambhir lashed out at critics for targeting young pacer Harshit Rana, senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now stepped in to defend Rana. He has called for more compassion.

The Harshit Rana debate refuses to cool down. What started as a discussion about merit and selection has now become one of Indian cricket’s most polarising topics.

Ashwin changes tone on Harshit Rana 

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, who had earlier questioned Harshit Rana’s selection across 3 formats based on IPL performances, took a softer tone this week.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said there’s no place for personal attacks in sports, and criticism should never cross the line.

“I have always reiterated that no player should be attacked below the belt. When the attack becomes too personal, the genre changes. I would like to talk about Sanjay Manjrekar, who has criticised me throughout my career. But I have never held any grudge against him. What they say might be right or wrong, as long as the criticism doesn't get personal, I am fine with it,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin’s comments come right after head coach Gautam Gambhir’s fiery response to former selector Kris Srikkanth, who accused Rana of being a “yes man.” 

Gambhir, now India’s head coach, slammed such remarks, suggesting that some ex-cricketers were chasing YouTube views at the cost of a young player’s confidence.

The off-spinner, meanwhile, echoed that sentiment, adding that harsh personal criticism can deeply affect players and their families. He also blamed social media and online platforms for amplifying negativity. 

“Assume Harshit sees the reel in which he is being harshly criticised, and he is about to play a match for India, wouldn't he be shattered by this? And if his parents and friends see it, what will be their mindset? We can definitely criticise their skill, their style of cricket and the trade that they are plying."

"But it shouldn't get personal. It may be funny once or twice, but it shouldn't be a running theme. The reason they are doing this is that there is an audience for it. Negativity sells these days. They sell whatever is in demand. We should avoid consuming such content,” he added.

Is Ashwin being a hypocrite or simply an empath?

However, fans were quick to point out that Ravichandran Ashwin himself had earlier questioned Harshit Rana’s selection when the pacer was picked for multiple formats despite limited domestic experience.

His sudden change in tone has sparked mixed reactions. While some appreciated that he was being sympathetic, others criticised him for going back on his words after Gautam Gambhir's stern words.

In the end, Ashwin’s message of ‘don’t get personal’ is one the cricket community should take seriously. Constructive criticism is fair game, but when it becomes online trolling, it does not just harm the player but the sport as a whole.