Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has sparked a significant controversy within the cricketing world after asserting his retirement from the BCCI commentary panel. In a collection of social media posts on Friday, the veteran broadcaster alleged that he has been persistently missed for high-profile roles, citing “color discrimination” as a possible motive for his lack of alternatives over the previous 20 years.
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I’m retiring from commentary for BCCI
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 20, 2026
Two Many years of Being Missed
Sivaramakrishnan, who started his broadcasting profession in 2000, expressed frustration over being bypassed for key match-day duties similar to tosses, pitch stories, and post-match shows. He famous that even through the tenure of former head coach Ravi Shastri, newcomers got choice over him for these particular assignments.
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If I’ve not been used for TOSSES and PRESENTATION for 23 years and new comers are available do pitch report Tosses Presentation even when Shastri was teaching, what do you suppose may very well be the rationale
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 20, 2026
“If I’ve not been used for TOSSES and PRESENTATION for 23 years and newcomers are available to do pitch report, tosses, shows even when (Ravi) Shastri was teaching, what do you suppose may very well be the rationale,” he posted on X (previously Twitter). When a fan probed additional, the previous cricketer pointed towards discrimination based mostly on pores and skin color as a decisive issue within the board’s choice course of for on-screen expertise.
Ravichandran Ashwin Reacts to Sudden Exit
The announcement has divided the web, with followers and former gamers weighing in on the gravity of the allegations. India’s legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was among the many first to react, expressing his shock and disappointment on the timing of the choice simply forward of the brand new season.
“Oh no! Why not this IPL?” Ashwin wrote, quoting the veteran’s announcement. The exit marks the top of a 26-year affiliation with the microphone for a person who was as soon as a staple of Indian cricket broadcasts.
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Oh no! Why not this IPL? https://t.co/ZufOluzyoG
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 20, 2026
A Embellished Enjoying Profession
Earlier than transition to the commentary field, Sivaramakrishnan was a standout performer for India through the Eighties. Although he performed solely 9 Exams and 16 ODIs, his influence was vital. He’s greatest remembered for his match-winning 12-wicket haul towards England in 1984 and his pivotal function in India’s 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship triumph in Australia.
Underneath Sunil Gavaskar’s captaincy, he completed because the main wicket-taker in that event, a uncommon feat for a spinner in Australian situations on the time. He additionally served as a participant consultant on the ICC Cricket Committee, additional cementing his stature as a revered voice within the recreation earlier than this sudden and controversial departure.
