Laxman Sivaramakrishnan clears BCCI, Jay Shah over controversy over being dropped from commentary
Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has denied that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and current ICC president Jay Shah have anything to do with his retirement from commentary duties. Sivaramakrishnan said that his issue was with a BCCI employee.
Former Indian spinner made a lot of headlines When he resigned from his commentary role at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing issues of racism and limited opportunities during his 23-year association. The 60-year-old shared the news through a series of posts on X, which quickly gained popularity online.
In his post, Sivaramakrishnan claimed that despite being a part of the panel for more than two decades, he was repeatedly overlooked for key on-air responsibilities such as toss coverage and post-match presentations. Responding to a user who suggested that there might be racial bias involved, Sivaramakrishnan agreed.
Sivaramakrishnan also said that he missed such roles even in an era when senior people like Ravi Shastri were involved in the setup, pointing to a pattern that has persisted over the years. He said his exit was not merely a decision of retirement, but an attempt to raise questions about how responsibilities are assigned and production decisions are taken.
After his announcement, fans started targeting BCCI and Shah for their role in this matter. The 60-year-old has now denied that the BCCI administration had anything to do with his exit and was just taking control of his life.
Sivaramakrishnan said, “Don’t involve the BCCI administration. This is a one-on-one matter with a BCCI employee. Jay Shah and Co. have nothing to do with this issue. I am taking control of my life in my own hands and I feel I am entitled to do so.”
Who is Laxman Sivaramakrishnan?
Sivaramakrishnan emerged as a promising leg spinner for India in the early 1980s, appearing in 9 Tests and 16 ODIs between 1983 and 1987. He took 26 Test wickets, including three five-wicket hauls, and 15 in ODIs.
He made his Test debut on the 1983 West Indies tour and had already attracted attention in domestic cricket by taking seven wickets for just two runs. His most memorable innings was against England in 1984, where he took 12 wickets in a match.
Sivaramakrishnan was also part of the India team that won the 1985 World Championship in Australia, and finished as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Following his playing career, he moved into commentary and remained a respected voice for over two decades, particularly known for his insights on spin bowling.
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