Sivaramakrishnan recalls racism, praises WI support
Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has revealed he faced racism inside the Indian dressing room early in his career, but found warmth and acceptance among West Indies players during international tours.
Speaking recently, Sivaramakrishnan said the incidents occurred in the 1980s, a time when team culture was less inclusive. “There were comments about my background and skin colour,” he recalled. “It was difficult, especially as a young player trying to settle in.”
He contrasted that experience with his time around the West Indies squad, then one of cricket’s dominant forces. “When I walked into their dressing room, I felt at home,” he said. “They treated me like one of their own.”
A former teammate noted, “Cricket has changed a lot since then, but stories like this remind us how far we still need to go.”
Sivaramakrishnan’s reflections have reignited conversations about respect and unity in sport, themes that continue to resonate strongly across global and African cricket communities.