After 23 years of being a familiar voice in Indian cricket, former cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has decided to step away from commentary and his exit is making far more noise than expected.
On Friday, the 60-year-old announced his retirement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) commentary panel. But instead of a quiet goodbye, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan opened up about years of frustration, claiming that he was never treated fairly by the board.
His statements quickly caught attention online, with fans and the cricket community reacting strongly to his candid remarks.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “I am retiring from commentary for BCCI”
https://x.com/LaxmanSivarama1/status/2034900501188468988
He didn’t stop there. In a series of posts, he questioned his role and lack of opportunities over the years, saying, “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.”
https://x.com/LaxmanSivarama1/status/2034910446994813213
He also hinted at deeper issues within the system, adding, “How does a company owning BCCI rights go down? Any guesses.”
And in another post, he suggested there’s more to the story than what meets the eye, “My retirement is nothing great. But a story of tv production unfolds. Soon you will see the bigger picture.”
https://x.com/LaxmanSivarama1/status/2034937367845609950
One of the most talked-about moments came when Laxman Sivaramakrishnan appeared to agree with a social media user who suggested he may have faced discrimination due to his skin colour. Responding to the comment, he simply wrote, “Exactly”.
https://x.com/LaxmanSivarama1/status/2034937367845609950
https://x.com/LaxmanSivarama1/status/2034919503138889860
His remarks sparked widespread discussion, with many expressing concern and curiosity about what he experienced behind the scenes. Known for his straightforward and honest opinions, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, fondly called ‘Siva’, has been a strong voice in commentary since 2000. Before that, he had a short but memorable international cricket career, playing nine Tests and 16 ODIs for India between 1983 and 1986.
Despite going wicketless in his debut Test, he soon made headlines with a remarkable 12-wicket performance against England in 1984, which cemented his place in Indian cricket history. He was also part of one of India’s most celebrated victories, the 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket, led by Sunil Gavaskar. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan played a key role throughout the tournament, including the final against Pakistan, where he helped restrict the opposition to 176/9. India went on to win the match by eight wickets.
In fact, he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, an impressive achievement, especially for a spinner playing in the Australian conditions. Beyond his playing and commentary career, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan also served as a player representative on the International Cricket Council’s Cricket Committee. Now, as he steps away from commentary, his exit leaves behind not just a legacy but also a series of tough questions that many are waiting to see answered.
