"Nobody Wanted Their Daughter To Marry Me": Ex-India Star L Sivaramakrishnan Narrates Battle With Depression, Alcohol Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the former India leg-spinner, has opened up about the personal and professional challenges he faced during his cricketing career, including battles with depression, alcohol, and societal judgment. The 1987 World Cup veteran, who made his India debut at 17, described how his reputation was tarnished by persistent allegations of drug and alcohol abuse, which made it difficult for him to find a partner despite his status as an international cricketer. Sivaramakrishnan recounted how his career was marked by a mix of early promise and later struggles. During his teenage years, he faced accusations of being an alcoholic and a drug addict, even though he maintained that he had never used drugs. He explained that the constant negative publicity made it nearly impossible for him to maintain a normal life. "People love to spread bad things. My tours happened between 16 and 19 years. How would people serve me alcohol in a hotel when I was underage? I have never done drugs in my life. I have had a few beers later in my life— I don't say no to that. But imagine a 19-year-old being called an alcoholic, a drug addict," he said. The former spinner also revealed how these allegations affected his personal relationships. He stated that his reputation had become so damaged that even as an international player, he struggled to find someone willing to marry him. "People had made my reputation so terrible that nobody wanted to let their daughter marry me," he shared. Sivaramakrishnan’s exit from Indian cricket was equally tumultuous. He described how the selectors allegedly asked him to publicly blame fitness issues for his absence from the team rather than performance.#mental_health #india_cricket_team #ipl #laxman_sivaramakrishnan #world_cup_1987
Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan not the problem with Pakistan: Awful talent bucket, gulf with India evident in ‘new-look’ squad The series loss against Bangladesh once again highlights the significant shortage of young talent in Pakistan cricket, according to recent analysis. Despite the presence of established stars like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, the team's struggles underscore a deeper issue in the development pipeline. Analysts argue that the gap between Pakistan's current squad and India's emerging talent pool is widening, with the latter consistently producing high-quality players at a younger age. This disparity is evident in the results, as Pakistan continues to face challenges in maintaining competitiveness against teams with a stronger pipeline of prospects. The situation raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of Pakistan's cricketing success and the need for urgent investment in youth development programs to bridge the gap.#babar_azam #shaheen_shah_afridi #pakistan_cricket_board #mohammad_rizwan #india_cricket_team
India batters win rankings boost for T20 World Cup heroics India’s cricket team has seen a significant rise in their T20 International (T20I) batting rankings following their dominant performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The squad’s success in the tournament has propelled several players into the top tiers of the global rankings. Shubman Gill, who led India to a semifinal finish, has climbed to second in the T20I batting rankings, while Mohammad Rizwan has dethroned Babar Azam to claim the number one spot. The BCCI has announced a substantial cash reward of INR 131 crore for the team’s victory in the tournament, reflecting the growing financial stakes in international cricket. The prize money for the final is expected to be a significant portion of this amount, with details yet to be officially disclosed. India’s performance in the tournament has also been highlighted by standout contributions from key players. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round efforts and the aggressive batting of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have been instrumental in securing crucial victories. The team’s undefeated run in the group stage has further solidified their position as a top-tier force in T20 cricket. The ICC has also announced the match officials for the semi-finals, with a mix of experienced and emerging umpires overseeing the high-stakes matches. Meanwhile, the tournament’s viewership figures have shattered previous records, with the India vs Pakistan semifinal drawing an unprecedented audience. The success of the Indian team has not gone unnoticed by the global cricket community. Bollywood celebrities such as Kareena Kapoor and Anil Kapoor have publicly celebrated India’s achievements, underscoring the sport’s growing popularity in the country.#bcci #shubman_gill #babar_azam #mohammad_rizwan #india_cricket_team
