NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday hit back at former captain Kris Srikkanth, who had claimed that pace bowler Harshit Rana was selected for the ODI squad for Australia simply for being his "yes man."

Srikkanth had made the allegation on his YouTube channel, suggesting that Rana’s place in the national side was due to his connection with Gambhir.

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"It's shameful that someone wanting to run his YouTube channel is targeting a 23-year-old. If you want to target me, do it. I can handle it, but trolling a 23-year-old kid for YouTube views is shameful," Gambhir said during a press conference following India’s 2-0 Test series win over the West Indies.

"His (Rana's) father is not a selector. He has played cricket on his own merit. Don't target these young boys," he added.

India had defeated the West Indies by seven wickets in the second Test.

Srikkanth had specifically stated that Rana, whose connection with Gambhir dates back to their time with IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders, made it to the Indian ODI squad for Australia solely because of his rapport with the coach.

"There is only one member, Harshit Rana...nobody knows why he is there in the team. Best is to be like Harshit Rana and be a constant yes man to Gambhir to be selected (in the side)," Srikkanth had said recently.

Delhi cricketer Rana, who has featured in two Tests, five ODIs, and three T20 Internationals since Gambhir took over last year, recently played in an Asia Cup match that India won.

The three-match ODI series against Australia is set to begin on October 19.

(PTI Inputs)