'Don't say anything to run your YouTube channel' - Gautam Gambhir comes in defence of Harshit Rana's squad selection

Gautam Gambhir did not mince his words while criticising people who have trolled Harshit Rana for his selection in India's squads for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia. For the unversed, the former BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth had lashed out at the Indian team management after Rana's selection for the tour Down Under on his YouTube channel. The former ex-India opener had mentioned that the Delhi pacer is the "only one permanent member" in the team.

After India registered a 2-0 series

whitewash against the West Indies on Tuesday, October 14, head coach Gambhir addressed the media at the press conference in Delhi. The birthday boy stood up for Harshit, defending him against his naysayers without naming anyone in particular. The 44-year-old invited the trollers to target him instead of the young seamer.

"It’s a little shameful that you are targeting a 23 year old personally - Harshit’s father is not an ex chairman. It is not fair that you target an individual. Social media trolling is just not right & imagine the mindset. Anyone’s kid will play cricket - Every one has us moral responsibility to make sure india cricket does well," Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.

Don’t say anything to run your YouTube channel - if you want, then target me, I can handle it but leave that Kid alone & it's same for all the young stars," he added.

Rana's criticism stems largely from his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) connection with Gambhir. The 23-year-old was a part of the KKR side when they won the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024 under Gambhir's mentorship. Having made his international debut last year in November, Rana has played two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20Is. The right-arm speedster has picked up four, 10, and five wickets in the three formats, respectively. However, his economy rates have been concerningly high.

India will begin their tour of Australia with a three-match ODI series, starting on October 19 in Perth. After the ODIs, the Men in Blue will face Mitchell Marsh and Co. in a five-match T20I series from October 29 onwards.