Sivaramakrishnan Questions BCCI Assignments, Announces Commentary Exit
Former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has announced his decision to step away from commentary duties with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing long-standing dissatisfaction with his role.
Sivaramakrishnan, 60, made the announcement on social media platform X, saying he was retiring from BCCI commentary after years of association with cricket broadcasting.
The move is significant given his decades-long presence in the commentary box and his reputation for candid views, both on-air and online.
I am retiring from commentary for BCCI
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 20, 2026
“I am retiring from commentary for BCCI,” Sivaramakrishnan posted, drawing widespread attention from cricket fans and the broadcasting community.
In subsequent posts, he elaborated on his decision, expressing frustration over not being assigned key on-air responsibilities such as toss coverage and post-match presentations.
“If I have not been used for tosses and presentations for 23 years and newcomers come in and do pitch reports, tosses and presentations, what do you think could be the reason,” he wrote, questioning the decision-making process.
Sivaramakrishnan indicated that his exit was not abrupt but the result of accumulated concerns over limited opportunities despite his experience.
“This retirement is only the beginning of a story… when told, the general public and cricket fans will be utterly shocked,” he added, suggesting deeper issues behind the move.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not issued an immediate response to his remarks.
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
In recent years, high-profile roles such as match presentations and toss segments in major BCCI fixtures have often been handled by senior broadcasters including Ravi Shastri and Harsha Bhogle, along with other commentators across matches.
Sivaramakrishnan’s comments highlight concerns about role allocation within cricket broadcasting, particularly for experienced commentators.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reacted to the development on X, expressing surprise at the timing of the decision ahead of the upcoming cricket season.
“Oh no! Why not this IPL?” Ashwin wrote.
Sivaramakrishnan rose to prominence during India’s 1985 World Championship of Cricket triumph, where his leg-spin played a key role. He went on to represent India in nine Tests, taking 26 wickets, and 16 One Day Internationals, claiming 15 wickets.
Although his international career was relatively brief, he remained closely associated with the game through domestic cricket and later established himself as a commentator.
His departure marks the end of a long stint in Indian cricket broadcasting and has sparked discussion among fans and analysts over the recognition and utilisation of experienced voices in the commentary ecosystem. [KNT]
