Former India cricket Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has blasted R Ashwin on a social media rant alleging that Test match pitches in India are ‘doctored’ to suit the off-spinner.
Sivaramakrishnan’s rant was triggered by a reaction to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that listed commentators for the upcoming World Cup. Below the post, Sivaramakrishnan noted that “there are no real weirdos in the comments section” and called the cast a “pathetic mix.”
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 colour commentators know the game. Pathetic mix
– Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) 30. September 2023
Commentators include Lisa Stalekar, Samuel Badree, Ravi Shastri, and Russell Arnold. All are spinners with at least 50 international wickets. When I pointed this out to Sivaramakrishnan, as if in response to Badri’s name, he replied: “West Indies aren’t even playing. Who is he representing? What’s the logic?”
However, Sivaramakrishnan’s harshest remarks were directed at R Ashwin after another commentator claimed that the tournament would feature flat pitches for Indian batsmen . Sivaramakrishnan replied: “Indian batsmen have problems with spin because Indian pitches are tuned for Ashwin in Test matches. Look at his record in SENA countries.”
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 😂😂😂😂
– Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) 30. September 2023
This comment was quoted by another X user who defended R Ashwin’s record and said that he is a better spinner than Sivaramakrishnan. Ashwin was named in India’s squad for the World Cup earlier this week after Axar Patel was ruled out of the tournament. He took 155 ODI wickets in 115 matches. Sivaramakrishnan played 16 ODIs between 1985 and 1987 and took 15 wickets. He also played 9 Test matches for India and at an average of 23.61 he took 26 wickets.
Reacting to R Ashwin’s defense, Sivaramakrishnan wrote, “Any fool would get a wicket cut on a match-fixing pitch in India,” and continued in another comment: “Airport Please go straight to the ground and tell the ground staff. I saw it.” I repeatedly checked with my own eyes which parts to operate. ”
These posts received several derogatory comments about Ashwin, such as being ‘unworthy’ and ‘a burden’.
Most unfit cricketer
– Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) 30. September 2023
His rant came during a warm-up match between India and England in Guwahati which was postponed due to rain. In a pre-match interview, Ashwin said that if he had been informed in advance that he would be playing in the World Cup, he “would have thought it was a joke”. The veteran off-spinner has featured in his four ODIs in the last six years and played his first match in the format in 18 months against Australia last week.
In the end, the warm-up game ended without any balls being thrown.
To bet on the World Cup with our Match Centre Partners bet365 head here.
