Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (1965), who was once the best leg sprinter of India for years, did quit cricket commentary and recently took up a career as one of India's renowned commentators. In addition to being great leg spin in the 1980s and a successful commentator for long years Sivaramakrishnan opened up to us about the prejudice and racism in the 1980s and experiences of discrimination suffered due to colour, not as a person who won over the game and who did or lost that experience.
Early Career
Born in 1965 in Chennai, Sivaramakrishnan was a prodigy who played a lot as a teenager for India in nine tests and 16 One Day Internationals which saw him represent the country over the course of the 1983-87 year. In 1985 he went out the picture as the winner of the World Championship of Cricket in Australia as a part of a strong team of India, he won the match of record of the World Championship of Cricket where it happened from 1983 to 1987. His leg‑spin was so brilliant, they named it, so successful.
Commentary Career
Sivaramakrishnan started commentary in 2000, after retiring from professional cricket as he did away from it all. For over two decades his voice was broadcast over Indian cricket and he did it well while saying he was there because of the racism and discrimination, but he stepped down in March 2026 from commentary and in March 2026 dismissed him from some important roles at toss presentations and post‑match ceremonies, so he said he frequently felt unrepresented.
Personal Struggles
Sivaramakrishnan opened up about his battles with depression and alcohol addiction. These struggles were bad news for him and left him lonely socially and professionally. Family members didn’t like him and he felt stigmatized in his personal life. This honesty has brought into public eye athletes mental health problems that come after their playing-based careers if they did work.
Racism Allegations
One of the most disturbing revelations was his encounter with Racism and colourism in cricket. He remembered being yelled at and teased when his skin was called racist for years over a racial issue and having a reputation that was never lessened. That it hurt enough for you to retire from commentary and his own personal problems were part of what made you retire now.
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan’s story is inspiring and saddening too. The journey has taken him from a teenager cricket bat and a respected commentator as well as his fight, in terms of dedication and grit. We should all believe in the power of our sports to bring out the truth, so his experience of racism, depression, denial and exclusion is all good reason. I am really sad that I'm not in my career now as I was as a commentator.
