Ex-IND Cricketer Fires Shots Again; Speaks of a BCCI Employee, Not Jay Shah, Who Has Jeopardised His Commentary Career Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has once again taken to social media to address allegations of unfair treatment in his commentary career, clarifying that the issue is not with the BCCI as an organisation but with a single employee. In a series of posts on X, the 60-year-old cricketer accused someone within the BCCI of undermining his work, a claim he later reiterated to distance himself from the board’s leadership. The controversy erupted after Sivaramakrishnan posted on Friday, stating he was retiring from commentary for the BCCI. His subsequent message elaborated on the grievances, suggesting that his long-standing contributions to the board’s broadcasts had been overlooked in favor of newer commentators. He questioned why he had not been given opportunities for key segments like tosses and presentation, even during the tenure of former coach Ravi Shastri. The post sparked widespread debate, with many fans and media outlets amplifying the narrative, leading to a hostile online environment against the BCCI. Cricket enthusiasts from across the country rallied behind Sivaramakrishnan, with some critics targeting ICC chairman Jay Shah, who is often seen as a de facto leader of the BCCI due to his family’s political influence. However, Sivaramakrishnan clarified on Saturday that his dispute was personal and unrelated to Shah or the board’s administration. He insisted the issue was a one-on-one matter with an unnamed BCCI employee, vowing to take control of his life and career. Despite not naming the individual, Sivaramakrishnan’s posts suggest he is close to revealing the identity of the person he accuses.#wankhede_stadium #bcci #jay_shah #laxman_sivaramakrishnan #world_cup_1985
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan Accuses BCCI of Racism, Forces Commentary Retirement Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, a former India leg-spinner, has stepped away from commentary duties for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after over two decades, citing allegations of racism and a lack of opportunities. The 60-year-old former cricketer made his announcement through a series of posts on X, which have since gone viral. In his posts, he accused the BCCI of systematically overlooking him for key on-air roles, such as toss duties and post-match presentation ceremonies, despite his long-standing association with the organization. Sivaramakrishnan, who played 9 Tests and 16 ODIs between 1983 and 1987, revealed that he had been excluded from prominent commentary responsibilities for 23 years. He acknowledged the possibility of racial discrimination, responding to a user who suggested it could be a factor. “You are right. Colour discrimination,” he wrote. He questioned why he had not been given opportunities that were handed to newer commentators, stating, “If I have not been used for tosses and presentation for 23 years and newcomers come in, what do you think could be the reason?” The former spinner also pointed out that even during periods when established figures like Ravi Shastri were part of the BCCI setup, he was not assigned such roles. This, he argued, indicated a long-standing pattern of exclusion. Sivaramakrishnan emphasized that his decision to retire was not merely about ending his career but also about highlighting issues surrounding role allocation and production processes within the organization. “My retirement is nothing great. But a story of TV production unfolds. Soon you will see the bigger picture,” he wrote.#india #ravi_shastri #bcci #x #laxman_sivaramakrishnan
Veteran India commentator quits, blames BCCI for ignoring him 23 years: ‘Can’t sacrifice my self-respect and suck up’ Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has announced his decision to step away from BCCI commentary, citing frustration over being sidelined for key roles like toss and presentation duties for over two decades. The 60-year-old commentator took to X to share his retirement announcement, expressing his discontent with the lack of opportunities to handle these responsibilities, which he felt limited his contribution. His posts emphasized that this decision was deliberate, driven by his desire to be valued fully in his role. Sivaramakrishnan, known for his candid approach both online and on air, highlighted that high-profile toss and presentation duties in major BCCI matches have increasingly been assigned to figures like Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle, while other commentators have been given similar tasks in remaining games. He questioned the rationale behind this pattern, noting that even during Shastri’s tenure as coach, newcomers were given these roles, leaving him and others like him overlooked. His frustration stemmed from feeling undervalued for an extended period, despite his long-standing association with cricket broadcasting. In his tweets, Sivaramakrishnan struck a defiant tone, hinting that his retirement marked the beginning of a larger story that would shock the public and cricket fans. He expressed satisfaction that critics of his work were pleased with his decision, while thanking those who had at least acknowledged his contributions. He also conveyed disbelief at the BCCI’s potential reaction, suggesting the organization would be left unsettled by his departure. Sivaramakrishnan, a leg-spinner, rose to prominence during India’s 1985 World Championship victory.#ravi_shastri #bcci #ipl_2026 #laxman_sivaramakrishnan #harsha_bhogle
