Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has denied that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and current ICC chairman Jay Shah had anything to do with his retirement from commentary duties. Sivaramakrishnan said his problem was with an employee at BCCI.
The former Indian spinner grabbed the headlines when he stepped down 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 that quickly gained traction online.
In his submissions, Sivaramakrishnan claimed that he was repeatedly overlooked for prominent on-air duties such as draw coverage and post-match presentations, despite being part of the panel for more than two decades. Sivaramakrishnan responded to a user who suggested that this could be racial bias and agreed.
Sivaramakrishnan also noted that he lost out on such roles even during the stages when senior figures like Ravi Shastri were involved in the preparation, suggesting a pattern that has continued over the years. He added that his departure was not simply a decision to retire, but an attempt to challenge how responsibilities are assigned and production decisions are made.
After his announcement, fans started targeting the BCCI and Shah for their role in the matter. The 60-year-old has now come forward to deny that the BCCI administration had nothing to do with his exit and he was just taking control of his own life.
“Don’t bring the BCCI administration into the picture. It is one-on-one with a BCCI employee. Jay Shah et al have nothing to do with this issue. I am taking control of my life and I think I have the right to do so,” Sivaramakrishnan said.
WHO IS LAXMAN SIVARAMAKRISHNAN?
Sivaramakrishnan emerged as a promising leg-spinner for India in the early 1980s, featuring 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 tour of the West Indies in 1983 and had earlier attracted attention with a remarkable haul of seven wickets for just two runs in domestic cricket. One of his most memorable outings came in 1984 against England, where he took 12 wickets in the match.
Sivaramakrishnan was also part of the Indian team that won the 1985 World Cup in Australia, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. After his playing career, he moved into the field of commentary and became a respected voice for more than two decades, particularly known for his insights into spin bowling.
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Published on:
March 21, 2026 12:35 PM IST
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