Laxman Sivaramakrishnan accuses BCCI of racism, forced to retire from commentary
Former India leg spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has retired from commentary duties for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), alleging racism and lack of opportunities during his 23-year tenure. The 60-year-old made the announcement through a series of posts on X, which have now gone viral.
Through his Responding to a user who suggested race could be a factor, she agreed, writing, “You’re right. Color discrimination.”
Sivaramakrishnan wrote, “I am retiring from commentary for BCCI.”
He questioned why he was not given the opportunities that were given to new commentators.
He said, “If I have not been used to toss and presentation for 23 years and new people come in then what do you think could be the reason for this.”
Sivaramakrishnan further pointed out that even during the period when established names like Ravi Shastri were part of the team setup, they were not given such responsibilities, which suggests a long-standing pattern.
He said his decision to step down was not just about retirement, but also about raising questions about how production and role allocation works.
He wrote, “My retirement is no big deal. But a story of TV production comes to light. Soon you will see the bigger picture.”
Who is Laxman Sivaramakrishnan?
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan was one of India’s promising leg spinners in the early 1980s.
He played 9 Tests and 16 ODIs between 1983 and 1987, taking 26 wickets with three five-wicket hauls in Tests and 15 wickets in ODIs.
He made his Test debut during the 1983 tour of the West Indies and attracted early attention after taking seven wickets for two runs in a domestic game as a youngster.
One of his standout performances was against England in 1984, where he took 12 wickets in a match.
He was also part of the India team that won the 1985 World Championship in Australia, and finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
After retiring from cricket, he moved into commentary and soon became a prominent voice for over two decades, known for his technical analysis, especially of spin bowling.
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