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
Ravi Shastri pinpoints key to recent success of Sanju Samson Sanju Samson’s resurgence at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has drawn attention from former India coach Ravi Shastri, who highlighted the mental shift in the right-hander’s approach as the main reason behind his recent form. Samson, who had struggled to secure a regular spot in India’s T20I lineup, has delivered standout performances in the tournament, including a Player of the Match innings of 89 off 42 balls against England in the semi-final. His aggressive strokeplay and composure under pressure have been pivotal in guiding India to the final against New Zealand. Shastri, speaking on The ICC Review, emphasized that Samson’s improved mental toughness has been the driving force behind his success. “He’s got to be wiser with his shot selection and back his strengths,” Shastri said. “The thing with Sanju is he’s got every shot in the book, but lapses in concentration have held him back. Now, he’s toughened up mentally, and that’s why his recent results are so impressive.” The coach also noted that Samson’s ability to stay focused and execute his game has finally aligned with his natural talent, which has long been recognized by teammates and coaches. Samson’s form has been a surprise to many, especially given his inconsistent run of form in previous T20I campaigns. However, Shastri stressed that his best is yet to come, citing his role as a match-winner in India’s squad. “He’s still just 31 and a genuine match-winner,” Shastri said. “The shots he plays today—there’s class, touch, power, and brute force. It’s just unbelievable.” The coach’s comments underscored the belief that Samson’s recent performances are a culmination of his growth and the clarity of his role in the team.#icc_men_s_t20_world_cup_2026 #ravi_shastri #sanju_samson #abhishek_sharma #the_icc_review
"This Is A World Cup": Sunil Gavaskar Fumes At Stadium Organiser For 'Jasprit Bumrah Chants' Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed frustration with stadium organizers for encouraging spectators to chant Jasprit Bumrah's name during a crucial moment in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup semifinal between India and England. The incident occurred at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where the DJ prompted fans to shout “Boom Boom Bumrah” as the Indian pacer prepared to bowl. Gavaskar, commentating on the match, criticized the decision, emphasizing that such chants during the delivery stride are inappropriate, especially in a high-stakes World Cup environment. He noted that while fans can cheer between overs, chanting during the over could distract the bowler and undermine the professionalism expected at the global tournament. The match, which saw India defend a target of 254 against England, showcased a blend of individual brilliance and team resilience. Sanju Samson’s 89 off 42 balls and Jasprit Bumrah’s economical spell of 1/33 in four overs were pivotal in securing India’s seven-run victory. Samson’s innings, marked by a second consecutive fifty, propelled India to a record-breaking total of 253 for seven, the highest in a knockout game of the tournament. England’s response, led by Jacob Bethell’s century (105 off 48), saw them chase down the target with a thrilling chase, though they fell short by seven runs. Gavaskar and former India coach Ravi Shastri had previously criticized the ICC for organizing a laser show during a tense Super 8 match between India and the West Indies at Eden Gardens. The incident highlighted concerns about distractions during critical moments of the tournament.#icc_men_s_t20_world_cup #sunil_gavaskar #jasprit_bumrah #wankhede_stadium #ravi_shastri
India’s Cricket Captain Jasprit Bumrah Enters Semi-Final Clash Against England as Key Asset Jasprit Bumrah has become a pivotal force for India in the T20 World Cup, with his consistent performances and ability to deliver under pressure positioning him as a critical player in the semi-final against England. The 32-year-old fast bowler, set to take the field on his IPL home ground at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, has been instrumental in India’s campaign, amassing nine wickets in six matches so far. While Varun Chakaravarthy leads the wicket-taking charts with 12, Bumrah’s exceptional economy rate of 6.30 has been a standout factor, limiting opposition scoring throughout the tournament. Former India coach Ravi Shastri highlighted Bumrah’s unique skillset during an ICC Review Podcast ahead of the semi-final, calling him the team’s “X-factor.” Shastri emphasized Bumrah’s ability to seize crucial moments and disrupt partnerships, likening each over he bowls to an “event.” “He doesn’t give too many runs away, but he can crack open a game—just like he did against the West Indies,” Shastri said. The former coach praised Bumrah’s strategic mindset, noting that his wickets are the result of meticulous planning, situational awareness, and an understanding of the game’s dynamics. Ricky Ponting, a former Australia captain, echoed Shastri’s sentiments, underscoring the challenge batters face when facing Bumrah. “The opposition knows someone like Jasprit rarely goes for over 20 runs in his four overs,” Ponting remarked. “You need to go harder against the other bowlers and ensure you don’t let him have a game-changing over.” Ponting emphasized the importance of managing Bumrah’s impact, suggesting that keeping wickets in hand to target other bowlers would be key to countering his influence.#t20_world_cup #wankhede_stadium #ravi_shastri #jasprit_bumrah #ricky_ponting
