Former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan on Saturday (September 30) became the talk of the town for his social media rant against veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Sivaramakrishnan questioned Ashwin’s credentials as a spin bowler in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. He also claimed that the pitches in India are doctored for Ashwin to succeed in Test matches.
It all started when Sivaramakrishnan criticized the ICC and official broadcaster Star Sports for not including a genuine spinner in the commentary panel for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The former leg-spinner, who didn’t find a place in the list of commentators, wrote on X: “Not one genuine spinner in the commentary panel that is being played in India. How will people get educated on spin bowling? Does it mean only batsmen and some color commentators know the game? Pathetic mix.”
In reply, a user asked him about Indian batters’ struggle against spin and how Ashwin could prove handy with both bat and ball in the quadrennial event.
To which, Sivaramakrishnan came up with a rather blunt response as he wrote: “Indian batsman are struggling against spin because the pitches in India are doctored for Ashwin in Test matches. Look at his record in SENA Countries.”
“Any fool will get wickets on tampered pitches in India,” he added. “Go straight from the airport to the ground and tell the ground staff what areas to tamper, I have seen with my own eyes several times.”
“378 wickets in India. He is still playing because there is nobody else. Liability fielder - 20. Most unfit cricketer. Gives excuses for everything,” he continued his explosive rant.
When a user enquired if his account was hacked, Sivaramakrishnan replied: “No it’s me.”
Talking about Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, he made his India debut at the age of 17 in 1983. He went on to play 9 Tests and 16 ODIs for the country and claimed 26 and 15 wickets, respectively. He was part of India’s 1985 World Championship of Cricket victory in Australia.
After retiring from the game, Sivaramakrishnan established himself as one of the leading cricket commentators in India. He also served as a spin bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy.
