Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan officially stepped down from the BCCI commentary panel this past Friday, marking the end of his long-standing tenure behind the microphone. His departure was far from a standard retirement announcement, instead, the former cricketer used the occasion to level serious allegations against the board.
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan retires from BCCI commentary
In a sequence of candid posts shared on social media, Sivaramakrishnan hinted at systemic discrimination within the broadcasting setup. His public statements reflected a deep-seated frustration and dissatisfaction with his role, suggesting that his decision to leave was driven by long-term grievances rather than a simple desire to move on.
"I am retiring from commentary for BCCI," he wrote on X.
"If I have not been used for TOSSES and PRESENTATION for 23 years and new comers come in do pitch report Tosses Presentation even when Shastri was coaching, what do you think could be the reason.
"How does a company owning BCCI rights go down? Any guesses.
"My retirement is nothing great. But a story of TV production unfolds. Soon you will see the bigger picture," his post further read.
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The situation took a more serious turn when a user on social media questioned whether the commentator's skin color had played a role in his treatment. Sivaramakrishnan explicitly confirmed this suspicion, replying, "You are right. Colour Discrimination."
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Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's illustrious career in the box
At 60 years old, Sivaramakrishnan transitioned into the commentary box in 2000, nearly fifteen years after his career as a leg-spinner for India concluded. During his brief but impactful international tenure between 1983 and 1986, he represented the national side in nine Tests and 16 ODIs, carving out a reputation as a crafty slow bowler.
While his Test debut was relatively quiet, Sivaramakrishnan quickly rose to fame in 1984 with a sensational 12-wicket haul against England, a performance that cemented his status as a match-winner. His career reached its zenith during the 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship in Australia. Under the captaincy of Sunil Gavaskar, he emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker—a remarkable feat for a spinner in the pace-friendly conditions of Australia. His contributions were vital in the final against Pakistan, where he helped stifle their batting lineup to secure an 8-wicket victory for India.