India legend announces retirement before IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]The IPL 2026 season is still a week away, and ahead of the marquee event, a surprising development has arrived. One of the most renowned Indian cricketers and a pundit, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, has taken a drastic step and has called time on his illustrious career.A veteran of the game, L Sivaramakrishnan has announced his retirement from IPL commentary, a decision that he revealed on X. In his post, the former Indian leg-spinner took a subtle dig at his fellow commentators by stating that he was never allowed to do a toss or pitch report, despite being in this business for 23 years."I am retiring from commentary for BCCI.""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," Sivaramakrishnan added.Sivaramakrishnan accuses BCCI of racismAfter the veteran cricketer and commentator revealed his retirement decision on X, several Indian fans asked him about his sudden retirement decision, and the former player hinted that he was never called up to the toss or pitch report due to his skin colour.One of the fans replied: “Maybe you are not called up for the toss because of your colour?Sivaramakrishnan replied: "Exactly."Laxman Sivaramakrishnan @LaxmanSivarama1 I am retiring from commentary for BCCI With this comment, it is evident that the former IPL commentator was indirectly accusing BCCI of racism on the basis of skin colour.Also Read: BCCI Locks India Squad for 2027 World Cup; Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Selected?L Sivaramakrishnan's cricketing and commentary journeyOne of the most talented spinners to have come out of the domestic circuit, Sivaramakrishnan, aged 17, became the youngest Indian Test player against the West Indies in Antigua. From his debut in 1983 till 1985, the wily bowler was at the peak of his powers before his downhill began.After being in and out of the team, he made a brief comeback in India’s 1987 World Cup squad, but that was the end of his career.In his short international career, the 60-year-old cricketer played in nine Tests and scalped 26 wickets. He also took part in 16 ODI matches, and scalped 15 wickets, with an average of 35.86.After his cricketing career ended, he became. full-time commentator, and was one of the leading voices in India in the 2000s. When IPL was started, Sivaramakrishnan became an integral part of it, but days ahead of the 2026 season, he announced a sudden retirement.Not the first time Sivaramakrishnan started a controversy on XThis is not the first time the veteran commentator has triggered a controversy on social media. A couple of years back, the leg-spinner had a heated exchange with legendary Indian spinner, R Ashwin.He accused his fellow Tamil Nadu spinner of ignoring him ahead of his landmark 100th Test match. In a post on X, Sivaramakrishnan alleged that Ashwin disconnected his calls, and indirectly ghosted him."Tried calling him a few times to wish him for his 100th Test. Just cut off my call. Sent him a message, no reply. That's the respect we former cricketers get," Sivaramakrishnan replied to one of tweets praising Ashwin.A year before that, he deliberately slammed Ashwin for taking wickets on tampered Indian surfaces and stated that any fool can take wickets in India.Also Read: Virat Kohli Storm Warning Issued For IPL 2026
