India head coach Gautam Gambhir got here out strongly in defence of younger pacer Harshit Rana on Tuesday on the Feroz Shah Kotla, after India sealed a seven-wicket Take a look at collection win over the West Indies. Gambhir’s feedback got here in response to criticism from former World Cup winner and ex-chief selector Ok Srikkanth, who had questioned Rana’s inclusion within the squad for the upcoming ODI collection towards Australia.The controversy started after Srikkanth launched a video on his YouTube channel slamming the 23-year-old Delhi pacer’s choice.“Greatest is to be like Harshit Rana and be a relentless yes-man to Gambhir to be chosen. There is just one everlasting member – Harshit Rana. No one is aware of why he’s there within the group. You do not choose somebody irrespective in the event that they do effectively and take others even when they do not,” Srikkanth had mentioned in his video.Gambhir, clearly displeased, took exception to what he seen as a private assault on the teenager.“Look, it is just a little shameful, and I will be sincere with you. It is unfair that you’re not even sparing a 23-year-old child to run your YouTube channels. It is unfair as a result of, in any case, his father shouldn’t be some ex-chairman, an ex-cricketer, or an NRI,” Gambhir informed reporters. “No matter cricket he has performed, he has performed on his personal advantage, and sooner or later too, he’ll play on his personal advantage.”Expressing concern over the psychological toll such criticism can tackle rising gamers, the pinnacle coach added, “Concentrating on somebody individually shouldn’t be honest. You may goal somebody for his or her efficiency, and for that, there are individuals… there are selectors.”He additional urged critics to be conscious of Rana’s youth and inexperience.“Once you say such issues to a 23-year-old child, after which social media amplifies it much more, simply think about his mindset when he hears all this. Tomorrow, even your child might find yourself taking part in for the nation. The least one can do is realise that he’s not 33 years previous; he’s simply 23. You may criticise me; I can deal with it. However a 23-year-old boy is a 23-year-old boy, and that is unacceptable,” Gambhir mentioned.Gambhir additionally appealed to commentators and followers to uphold their “ethical duty” in the direction of Indian cricket, urging them to concentrate on performances reasonably than private assaults.Rana has steadily grown right into a three-format participant for India, having made his Take a look at debut in Perth through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy final November, adopted by appearances in ODIs and T20Is towards England earlier this 12 months.