Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's exit from BCCI commentary has drawn attention after he openly shared his concerns. It also raises questions about his long experience and role.
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan surprised many cricket fans after he revealed he is stepping away from BCCI commentary. The former Indian spinner shared his decision on X and clearly pointed to one main reason. He felt he was not being trusted with important on-air roles like toss and presentations for many years. He also hinted that factors like colour may have played a role in how responsibilities were given. For him, this was not a sudden call. He said it was a planned step because he wanted respect and a meaningful role.
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan did not hide his feelings. When fans asked why he made this decision, he replied openly on X. He said he had been ignored for key roles for a very long time. He wrote,
“If I have not been used for tosses and presentations for 23 years and newcomers come in do pitch report tosses presentation even when Ravi Shastri was coaching, what do you think could be the reason.”
His words described his frustration clearly. He believes his experience was not being used fully. While others were getting big moments on broadcast, he felt pushed aside. He also hinted that there is more to the story. He added,
“This retirement is only the beginning of a story when told, general public, cricket fans and everyone will be utterly shocked. I am very happy that people who hate me are delighted. But those who thought I was at least decent. Thanks. BCCI will be left with disbelief.”
Sivaramakrishnan also added one more concern. He has now directly spoken about colour discrimination while adding to his exit from BCCI commentary. After a user on X suggested that race could be a reason behind his limited roles, he agreed and said it was colour discrimination. Along with this, he again pointed out that despite working for more than two decades, he was not given toss and presentation duties, while newer voices were seen handling those roles.
Many in the cricket world started wondering what he might reveal later. His decision also got a reaction from Ravichandran Ashwin, who questioned why he would step away right before the IPL, showing even players were surprised by the timing. For years, Sivaramakrishnan has been a familiar voice in Indian cricket broadcasts. So his sudden exit, especially just before IPL 2026, has raised many questions.
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan is a former Indian leg-spinner who became famous at a very young age. He was one of the stars of India’s 1985 World Championship of Cricket win in Australia. His bowling played a big role in that victory. He played nine Test matches for India and took 26 wickets. In One Day Internationals, he played 16 matches and picked up 15 wickets. Even though his international career was not very long, he made a strong impact early on.
After Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's playing days, he stayed close to the game. He worked in domestic cricket and later became a commentator. Over time, he became known for speaking with raw honesty on the mic. He often shared strong opinions both on TV and on social media. That honesty is also what people are observing now. Instead of leaving quietly, he chose to explain his side clearly. For him, this was not just about commentary, but it was about feeling respected in the role he was given.
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan’s cricket journey has been full of ups and downs. After his early success in the 1980s, his place in the Indian team did not last long. Competition around him increased, and his form also dipped, but he did not leave the game. He continued playing domestic cricket and later moved into coaching and commentary. Over the years, he built a second career as a cricket expert. He worked in various matches and tournaments, including BCCI games. His voice became familiar to fans who followed Indian cricket closely. At the same time, he was never someone who stayed silent. He often questioned decisions and shared his views openly. That made him different from many others in the commentary box.
Now, with this decision, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has again shown that he values his self-respect. He made it clear that he did not want to continue in a role where he felt underused. Meanwhile, the timing of his exit is also crucial. IPL 2026 is about to begin, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 in Bengaluru. The BCCI has already announced the first set of matches, while the full schedule will come later. His absence from the commentary panel during such a big tournament will surely be noticed. For now, Sivaramakrishnan has stepped away, but his words suggest that this story may not end here.
What are your thoughts on Laxman Sivaramakrishnan’s sudden commentary exit? Let us know.
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