The gentleman’s game has long been celebrated for its spirit of sportsmanship, yet for former Indian leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the reality behind the boundary ropes was often far from noble. Recently, the 60-year-old veteran took to social media and interviews to detail a harrowing history of alleged racism and colourism that spanned his journey from a 14-year-old prodigy to a seasoned commentator. His revelations have sparked a necessary, albeit uncomfortable, conversation about the deep-seated prejudices within the cricketing ecosystem.
Sivaramakrishnan’s ordeal began long before he donned the India cap. At just 14, while serving as a net bowler at Chepauk, he was reportedly mistaken for ground staff by a senior India batter due to his dark complexion. The senior player demanded that the teenager clean his shoes. Though the young spinner stood his ground, the incident served as a chilling introduction to the systemic bias he would face for decades.
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan opens up on alleged racism he experienced in Indian cricket
The discrimination was not limited to isolated encounters with seniors; it permeated his domestic career and international appearances. Sivaramakrishnan recalled how his own Tamil Nadu teammates frequently referred to him as ‘karupa’—a Tamil term used to mock his dark skin. This internal friction was mirrored by external hostility. During matches in North Indian cities like Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Jalandhar, the spinner was often subjected to derogatory chants from the stands. Crowds would taunt him with the phrase “Kalia, tera kya hoga,” a racially charged jab that reduced his athletic merit to the shade of his skin.
Perhaps the most poignant moment of his career occurred on his 17th birthday. What should have been a celebration turned into a source of lasting trauma when a senior cricketer mocked the dark chocolate cake brought for the occasion. The player reportedly joked that the cake was the ‘right color’ for a ‘dark boy.’
“Hey Sunny, you ordered the right colour cake. Such a dark chocolate cake for a dark boy,” Sivaramakrishnan told The Indian Express.
The comment was so hurtful that Sivaramakrishnan broke down in tears and refused to cut the cake, eventually finding solace only when Sunil Gavaskar stepped in to comfort him.
The lasting impact on mental health and the sport
Sivaramakrishnan, who claimed 41 international wickets across 9 Tests and 16 ODIs, was widely considered one of the most gifted leg-spinners of his generation. However, the mental scars from these incidents remained long after his playing days ended. Even during his 33-year tenure as a commentator, a role from which he recently retired, the veteran suggested that colourism continued to play a role in how he was perceived and treated.
The statistics regarding representation and treatment of players from Southern India have often been a point of quiet debate, but Sivaramakrishnan’s vocal stance brings the issue into the spotlight. His story highlights a broader cultural challenge within India, where colourism (prejudice based on skin tone) is often dismissed as banter despite its devastating psychological effects. By coming forward, the former spinner isn’t just recounting personal grievances; he is challenging the BCCI and the global cricketing community to address the toxic culture that allows such discrimination to persist in the locker rooms and the stands alike.
