After India team head coach Gautam Gambhir hit out against former captain and chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth for his comments on pacer Harshit Rana, R Ashwin has come out in support saying there shouldn’t be any personal attacks on a player. Rana’s inclusion for the ODI tour of Australia received sharp criticism from Srikkanth where he said on his YouTube channel that the pace is rewarded for being a ‘constant yes man’ for Gambhir.
Even Ashwin has previously questioned Rana’s choice in the squad based on his IPL performances, but said any criticism should be on merit. “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 on his YouTube channel.
“Negativity sells these days. They sell whatever is in demand. We should avoid consuming such content.”
— R Ashwin on YouTube cricket criticism
The Content Problem
YouTube channels and social media profit from harsh player criticism, creating an ecosystem where negativity drives engagement
Personal vs Merit-Based
Ashwin distinguishes between legitimate skill critique and below-the-belt personal attacks that damage player confidence
Audience Demand
Critics produce negative content because there’s an audience for it—consumption habits fuel the toxic cycle
Call to Action
Ashwin urges fans to stop consuming personal attack content to break the negativity-for-profit model
Impact on Players & Ecosystem
Mental Impact
Viral criticism shatters player confidence before matches
Family Effect
Parents and friends exposed to harsh personal commentary
Double Standards
Critics who tear down players celebrate them after good performances
System Comparison
Unlike Australia, India’s ecosystem doesn’t fully back emerging cricketers
Indian Express InfoGenIE
The former India all-rounder said personal comments can even shatter a player’s confidence when he turns up for the next game. “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.
Even in the past Ashwin has voiced his concerns over the constant online trolling and even pointed out how the Australian eco-system fully backs an upcoming cricketer. “Everyone’s targeting Harshit Rana left, right and centre. Let me ask you one thing: if the same Harshit performs well next year, will the same people put him on the same pedestal and celebrate him?” asked Ashwin.
Before Ashwin, Gambhir too had lashed out at Srikkanth for his remarks on Rana at the end of the second Test between India and West Indies at Kotla.
