Former India spinner R. Ashwin took to social media to take a dig at ex-India leggie Laxman Sivaramakrishnan after he announced his retirement from commentary duties for the BCCI due to a lack of opportunities.

Sivaramakrishnan played 9 Tests and 16 ODIs for India from 1983 to 1987, taking 41 wickets in total and playing a huge role in India’s 1985 World Championship of Cricket win in Australia.

He then moved into media roles and was seen commentating during India games and also in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he has now announced his retirement from commentary for the BCCI, citing a lack of opportunities.

“I am retiring from commentary for BCCI,” Laxman posted on X.  

When asked about the reasons, Sivaramakrishnan asked a few questions, like the lack of doing tosses, pitch reports, etc.

“If I have not been used for TOSSES and PRESENTATION for 23 years, and newcomers come in and do pitch report Tosses Presentation even when Shastri was coaching, what do you think could be the reason?" he added.  

Meanwhile, R. Ashwin quoted Sivaramakrishnan’s retirement post and stated, "Oh no! Why not this IPL?”  

The animosity between two Tamil Nadu spinners, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and R. Ashwin, stems from a series of posts on X done by Sivaramakrishnan, where he accused Ashwin of cutting his call when he wanted to congratulate him on his 100th Test appearance for India.

Ashwin had played his 100th Test when India faced off against England on Thursday, March 6, 2024, in Dharamshala.

Sivaramakrishnan voiced dissatisfaction with Ashwin's alleged reluctance to react to his calls and texts, hinting that the off-spinner disregarded him, possibly due to Sivaramakrishnan's previous demands for minor modifications to Ashwin's bowling style.

Sivaramakrishnan, in the past was critical of Ashwin’s bowling and questioned his ability to pick wickets in SENA countries.