From left: Gautam Gambhir, Kris Srikkanth and Harshit Rana.
Credit: PTI Photos
India's coach Gautam Gambhir hit back at former chairman of selectors Krisnamachari Srikkanth for alleging that pacer Harshit Rana was picked for India's ensuing ODI tour of Australia for being a "constant yes man" to him.
"Look, it's extremely shameful. If you're criticising 23-year-olds to run your YouTube channel, that's unfair," Gambhir told media after India's 2-0 Test series sweep over the West Indies at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.
The ex India opener added that the 23-year-old was playing for the national team purely based on "merit".
"His father isn't an ex-chairman (of selectors), or ex-cricketer or an NRI. He has played cricket on his own merit and he'll continue to do so. Targeting individuals isn't fair," Gambhir added.
Gambhir's jibe is presumed to targeted at Srikkanth's son Aniruddha, who was once selected for India 'A' for a tour of Australia at the time when the former captain was incidentally heading the national selection panel.
Srikkanth had stated that Rana, whose association with Gambhir goes back to their Indian Premier League stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, made it to squad only because of his equation with the current Indian gaffer.
"There's only one member, Harshit Rana...nobody knows why he's there in the team. Best is to be like Harshit Rana and be a constant yes man to Gambhir to be selected," Srikkanth had said recently on his YouTube show which, incidentally is hosted by his son Aniruddha.
Gambhir also asked critics to spare a thought for youngsters who are haubnted by social media.
"If your kid plays cricket tomorrow, imagine a scenario where he gets abused. He is a 23-year-old kid, and not 33. Criticise me, I can handle it, but he's a 23-year-old boy, so that's something not acceptable.
"There should be a moral responsibility towards Indian cricket and you shouldn't do these things to help run your YouTube channel," he added.
India begin the three-match ODI series tour Down on October 19 with a game at Sydney.
The series will be followed by five T20s. Shubman Gill has replaced Rohit Sharma as the ODI skipper. Rohit and senior batter Virat Kohli are part of the team though.
(with inputs from agencies)