NEW DELHI: After India head coach Gautam Gambhir slammed former selector Kris Srikkanth for claiming that pacer Harshit Rana was picked for the ODI tour of Australia for being a "constant yes man," former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who had also expressed concerns over Rana's inclusion, defended him, saying one should not get personal while criticising.

"Look, it's extremely shameful. If you are criticising 23-year-olds to run your YouTube channel, that is unfair," Gambhir said while speaking to the media after India's 2-0 Test series sweep over the West Indies in New Delhi earlier this week.

Known for his plain-speak, Gambhir said that the 23-year-old is playing for the national team on "merit".

"His father is not an ex-chairman (of selectors), or ex-cricketer or an NRI. He has played cricket on his own merit and he will continue to do so. Targeting individuals is not fair," a livid Indian head coach said.

Ashwin cited his own experience of being frequently criticised by former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, emphasising that he always took it in stride, understanding that the critiques were never personal.

"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.

"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.

Ashwin expressed full sympathy for Rana, noting that the intensity and negativity of online trolling can impact anyone.

"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.