Former cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has once again stirred controversy with his comments regarding Indian off-spinner R Ashwin. On Wednesday, the former leg-spinner expressed his disappointment, claiming that Ashwin did not respond to his attempts to congratulate him on reaching 100 Test matches.
In a tweet, the 58-year-old wrote, “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.” He emphasized that respect should come from cultured individuals and clarified that his previous tweets about Ashwin were meant for constructive criticism rather than criticism.
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Responding to netizens who questioned his cricketing experience, Sivaramakrishnan highlighted his own credentials, having played 9 Tests and 16 ODIs for India. This exchange underscored the ongoing tension between former players and the current generation in cricket.
Respect comes only from cultured people. Btw, I was earlier tweeting about a minor correction in his action and not criticizing him. If only people understood
— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) March 6, 2024
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has previously criticized Ashwin’s bowling abilities, particularly in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). He questioned whether Indian pitches were tailored to favour Ashwin, labelling him a “selfish stats player.”
Sivaramakrishnan also suggested that Ashwin’s early success in international cricket was facilitated by his association with the Chennai Super Kings and captain MS Dhoni, implying that other factors besides talent propelled his career forward. Furthermore, Sivaramakrishnan accused Ashwin of lacking loyalty by switching teams, alleging that his success was not solely based on merit.
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Laxman Sivaramakrishnan cited Ashwin’s brief stint with Chennai-based team Chemplast, contrasting it with his departure from India Cements, the company associated with the Chennai Super Kings. Overall, Sivaramakrishnan’s comments have reignited debates surrounding Ashwin’s career trajectory and the dynamics between former and current cricketers in India.
