Laxman Sivaramakrishnan retires from BCCI commentary panel alleging racism:Expresses frustration in series of posts, R Ashwin reacts

Former Indian cricketer and veteran commentator Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has resigned from the BCCI’s commentary panel, alleging racism. Sivaramakrishnan announced this decision in a series of posts on X. “I am retiring from commentary for BCCI,” his retirement post on X, read. The 60-year-old former cricketer said he was disappointed that he was not used for important occasions like tosses and presentations during his 23-year career. The former leg-spinner wrote that new commentators kept getting opportunities, while he was ignored for a long time. Sivaramakrishnan also said that there is a bigger story related to TV production behind his retirement, which will come out soon. When a user raised the issue of racism, he justified it, further deepening the controversy. ‘Not being used for presentation and tosses’
Sivaramakrishnan said, ‘For the last 23 years, I have not been sent for the toss and prize distribution ceremony. While new people were sent for pitch reports, toss and prize distribution ceremonies. I was not even sent when Ravi Shastri was coaching, so what could that mean?’ The former leg-spinner also teased a bigger revelation. In one of his posts, he wrote, ‘Anyone can guess what happens to the company holding the BCCI rights. My retirement is not a big deal, but a new story of TV production is emerging. Soon the full picture will become clear to you.’ Sivaramakrishnan alleges falling victim to racism
When a user asked if his skin colour was an issue, Sivaramakrishnan replied, ‘You are right. Racism.’ Sivaramakrishnan has been known for expressing his views openly inside the commentary box for over two decades. The former cricketer reiterated his racism claim when another X user suggested that the discrimination was based on colour. “You are right, colour discrimination,” he wrote. Ravi Ashwin reacts to Sivaramakrishnan’s retirement Ravi Ashwin reacted to Sivaramakrishnan’s retirement post. The former India and Chennai Super Kings star wrote, “Oh no! Why not this IPL?” Sivaramakrishnan and Ashwin have had some history. Earlier, Sivaramakrishnan had slammed Ashwin, stating that the off-spinner had a poor record in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia). He further alleged that pitches in India were doctored for Ashwin to bowl well. Sivaramakrishnan’s career spanned more than 20 years Sivaramakrishnan had been commentating since 2000 and was known for his outspoken opinions. He has also served as a player representative on the ICC Cricket Committee. Who is Shivramakrishnan?
In the early 1980s, at the age of 17, he created a stir with his powerful leg-spin deliveries, googlies, and top-spin. He was part of the Indian ODI team that won the Cricket World Championship held in Australia in 1985. In 1997-98, the Australian team came on a tour of India. Then Sachin Tendulkar called Sivaramkrishnan to deal with Shane Warne’s challenge. Although Shivramkrishnan’s cricket career did not last long, he later made a distinct identity as a commentator.