New Delhi: In a shocking development, former Indian leg-spinner and cricket expert Laxman Sivaramakrishnan announced retirement from BCCI’s commentary panel alleging discrimination and lack of opportunities. Sivaramakrishnan, who was famed cricketer in his hey days, took to social media handle X announcing his decision to quit as a commentator.
He said that from the past few years, he is being ignored by the Indian cricket board and is not getting opportunities to conduct toss and presentation ceremonies which the primary reason behind him quitting from his broadcasting career. Sivaramakrishnan, who created a name for himself with his leg-spinners and googlies in the 1980s, showcased his frustration regarding his job in a series of tweets.
I am retiring from commentary for BCCI
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 20, 2026
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
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 20, 2026
How does a company owning BCCI rights go down? Any guesses
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 20, 2026
My retirement is nothing great. But a story of tv production unfolds. Soon you will see the bigger picture
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 20, 2026
On one of his retirement tweets, a user asked if his skin colour was an issue, Sivaramakrishnan replied, ‘You are right. Colour Discrimination.’
The 60-year-old former cricketer was known for expressing his views openly for more than 20 years inside the commentary box. Fondly known as Siva, he played nine Test matches an 16 ODI games for India between 1983 and 1986 and began his commentary career years after in 2000.
Although he went wicket-less in his first Test match, he later became famous for his match-winning 12-wicket haul against England in 1984 and also served as a player representative on the ICC Cricket Committee.
Sivaramakrishnan was also a key player in India’s victorious 1985 Benson & Hedges World Championship triumph in Australia under Sunil Gavaskar’s captaincy. He played a crucial role, including in the final against Pakistan where he helped restrict them to 176/9, contributing to India’s 8-wicket win.