Sachin Tendulkar Praises Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's Decision To Coach Young Spin Bowlers After BCCI Commentary Retirement, Former India Spinner Responds (Watch Video)
Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, 60, has announced his new role coaching young spin bowlers after retiring from the BCCI commentary panel on March 20, 2026. Citing a passion for nurturing talent and a need for specialist spin guidance in India, Sivaramakrishnan aims to bolster the country's future spin reserves.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has publicly commended former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan following his decision to retire from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) commentary panel. Sivaramakrishnan, who recently brought his long-standing broadcasting career to a close, announced that he will now focus entirely on mentoring and developing grassroots spin-bowling talent across India. Tendulkar lauded the initiative, emphasizing the crucial need for quality spin-bowling guidance at the youth level. The former leg-spinner responded to the Master Blaster, thanking his former teammate in a post on Instagram. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan Alleges Possible Discrimination as Reason Behind Taking Retirement From BCCI Commentary.
View this post on Instagram
Tendulkar voiced his strong support for the move via social media, highlighting how invaluable Sivaramakrishnan's vast technical knowledge would be for the next generation. 'Hearing about your decision to coach young spinners is fantastic news for Indian cricket, Shiva,' Tendulkar stated. 'Our young bowlers will benefit immensely from your experience and deep understanding of the craft.'
Sivaramakrishnan's retirement from commentary came amidst his candid expression of dissatisfaction over a lack of opportunities, particularly concerning toss and presentation duties, even hinting at alleged 'colour discrimination'within the setup. However, his focus has swiftly shifted back to the core of cricket – developing talent.
A New Spin on Coaching
Speaking recently on July 6, 2026, Sivaramakrishnan confirmed his plans to coach youngsters in small batches, emphasizing his openness to collaborating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at facilities like the National Cricket Academy (NCA) or with India A teams. His motivation stems from a long-held belief in the necessity of a dedicated spin-bowling coach for the Indian team, a point he has advocated for many years. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan Clears BCCI and Jay Shah Over Commentary Retirement Controversy.
Sivaramakrishnan's career, though brief at the international level, saw him make a significant impact as a right-arm leg-spinner for India, playing 9 Tests and 16 ODIs between 1983 and 1987. He was a key member of the Indian squad that won the 1985 World Championship of Cricket. His deep understanding of the intricacies of spin bowling is well-regarded within cricketing circles.
As explained in the clip by Tendulkar, Sivaramakrishnan played a crucial role in helping legendary batsman prepare for the formidable challenge of facing Shane Warne during Australia's tour of India in 1998. Tendulkar sought out Sivaramakrishnan to simulate Warne's deliveries in practice sessions, a testament to the latter's expertise in leg-spin. This past collaboration underscores the mutual respect and cricketing kinship between the two stalwarts.
As Laxman Sivaramakrishnan embarks on this new coaching venture, the Indian cricketing fraternity anticipates that his wealth of experience and nuanced understanding of spin bowling will be invaluable in identifying and honing the next generation of Indian spinners, ensuring a strong future for the art of wrist-spin in the country.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2026 01:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
