The fans were highly entertained on Saturday, October 14, when India beat Pakistan by seven wickets to become table toppers in this ICC World Cup. 

Despite the entertainment, a controversy erupted after the match was over, as the internet was divided after a video went viral, where certain fans chanted ‘Jai Shree Ram’ towards Mohammad Rizwan, while the Pakistani batter was heading towards the pavilion after getting out. 

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A section of fans supported the crowd behaviour, while a few, including some renowned figures, were unhappy with the behaviour and expressed their displeasure on social media platforms.

Renowned journalist Rajdeep Sardesai took to Twitter to slam the ‘Jai Shree Ram’ chants by Indian fans. 

“Afternoon musing: in our park in the morning, we often say ‘Ram Ram’ as an affectionate greeting to each other. Why then use Jai Shri Ram as an aggressive chant to mock Pakistani players? Lord Ram is Maryada Purshottam: he must bring enlightenment, not evoke enmity. Agree?,” Sardesai wrote on X.

In reply, former India cricketer, and BJP leader, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan shut Rajdeep by sharing his experience when he toured Pakistan at the age of 16.

“What abuses I have got as a 16-year-old in Pakistan, only I know. From my colour to my religion to my country and culture. For Heaven’s sake if you have not experienced it, please don’t talk about it,” he tweeted.

In June 2023, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan was appointed as honorary vice president of the Tamil Nadu BJP’s Sports and Skill Development Cell.

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Former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan recently claimed that he had a conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin about his bowling action. This revelation followed a series of trolls targeting Sivaramakrishnan for his earlier controversial comments on Ashwin.

Sivaramakrishnan expressed his opinion on the commentary team selected for the World Cup through a post on X (formerly Twitter). In his post, he criticized the panel, labelling it a “pathetic mix” due to the absence of a genuine spinner, especially considering the competition is taking place in India. Sivaramakrishnan’s discussion shifted towards India’s challenges against spin, prompting him to make peculiar statements about Ashwin, suggesting that pitches in India favour the off-spinner in Tests.

The situation escalated as screenshots circulated on social media, allegedly showing Sivaramakrishnan referring to Ashwin as a “fool” and the “most unfit cricketer.” This resulted in widespread backlash against the former cricketer.

In a recent post, Sivaramakrishnan disclosed that Ashwin reached out to him to discuss his bowling action. Sivaramakrishnan stated that trolls’ harsh criticism of the former cricketer equally surprised Ashwin.

He took to Twitter to share this information, stating, “Ravi Ashwin was nice enough to call me just a while ago to discuss his bowling action. He was as shocked with the venom of the trolls as I was. Also clarified that the people involved are in NO WAY connected to him. GOOD LUCK @ashwinravi99 Do us proud.”

It’s worth noting that Ashwin has been picked for the Indian team for the 2023 World Cup. It will take place in India from October 5 to November 19.

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Former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan recently took to social media in a surprising rant against Ravichandran Ashwin. Criticizing Ashwin’s selection, Sivaramakrishnan pointed out a technical flaw. He urged the veteran spinner to make changes for better performance.

As replies poured in, Sivaramakrishnan escalated his criticism, saying that Indian pitches are manipulated for Ashwin in Test matches, diminishing his wicket-taking achievements.

He wrote, “Any fool will get wickets on tampered pitches in India,”. The ex-spinner also attacked Ashwin’s fielding skills, fitness, and tendency to make excuses.

Despite the backlash, Sivaramakrishnan affirmed that his account was not hacked. A former spinner himself, Sivaramakrishnan played a significant role in India’s 1985 World Championship of Cricket victory.

Meanwhile, Ashwin, making a surprise return to the ODI team, aims for his second World Cup win. Having played only four ODIs in the last six years, he seeks to join Virat Kohli as one of the two Indians to lift the trophy twice, overcoming past ODI team exclusions.

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Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan recommended Gujarat Titans’ batter Sai Sudharsan for Team India selection for the World Cup. Sudharsan had a brilliant IPL 2023, scoring 362 runs in eight matches with three half-centuries.

His highest score of 96 came against the Chennai Super Kings in the final. Sivaramakrishnan believes Sudharsan, who is also a left-handed middle-order batsman, deserves a fair consideration.

India’s ICC ODI World Cup 2023 campaign begins against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. Fans eagerly await the squad announcement, with reports suggesting Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul’s likely inclusion. Sivaramakrishnan’s suggestion of Sudharsan adds a different perspective all together.

Bumrah has been absent due to injury since September 2022, but there are chances he and Rahul will play in the Asia Cup 2023 in September, depending on their recovery.

Shreyas Iyer, recovering from a lower-back injury, is yet to regain fitness. Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav are considered to be potential replacements for Shreyas Iyer.

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Former Indian cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan suggests a potential replacement for injured KL Rahul in the middle-order. Rahul underwent surgery for a right thigh injury during IPL 2023. His return date is uncertain, but he might be fit for the Ireland tour in August.

Rahul has started strength conditioning training, but it’s unclear if he’s begun skill-based training.

Given the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to take place in India between October 5 and November 19, Rahul’s optimal fitness is crucial. He is considered the first-choice keeper-batter and has performed exceptionally well in ODIs while batting at No.5 in recent years, making him an integral part of India’s lineup.

Sivaramakrishnan believes Rahul should prove his match fitness in domestic matches before being considered for selection. He suggests Sai Sudharsan as a replacement, a left-handed middle-order batsman who had a successful domestic season and IPL 2023. Sudharsan scored 362 runs in eight matches for the Gujarat Titans.

Rahul’s role extends beyond batting; he is also a wicketkeeper. With Rishabh Pant likely in the World Cup squad, India is cautious about trying new options.

The decision on Rahul’s return depends on his match fitness. Sudharsan is a potential replacement, but Rahul’s wicketkeeping skills are also a factor to consider.

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Former India player Laxman Sivaramakrishnan made a staggering claim about head coach Rahul Dravid following Men in Blue’s ODI series defeat against Australia.

The former leg spinner was asked for his take by a Twitter user on Australia captain Steve Smith outperforming Rohit Sharma regarding field placement.

“Somehow, I felt @imkuldeep18 didn’t bowl to right field. When Zampa bowled, Smith had a very good attacking field set. Again for Agar Smith field setting was perfect. (7 off 3 on the side field) Here is where you need experts @LaxmanSivarama1,” the Twitter user wrote.

In response, the cricketer-turned-commentator tweeted:

“I offered my services to Rahul Dravid, and he said that I was too senior to him to work under him with the spinners.”

Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets. While Adam Zampa added 4. Ashton Agar also took two.

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India registered a four-wicket win against Sri Lanka to win the 2nd ODI and also clinched the three-match series.

Kuldeep Yadav was the only change from the first game and replaced the injured Yuzvendra Chahal, who sat out with a sore shoulder.

Yadav, on his return, starred for the Men in Blue, as the 28-year-old picked up a three-wicket haul and contributed ten runs for the team, which got him the player of the match trophy.

Amazed by his stunning return, several cricketing experts took to social media to praise the left-arm chinaman. However, former cricketer-turned-analyst Irfan Pathan took a different route and posted a tweet analysing Kuldeep’s changed tactics.

“Kuldeep Yadav has changed his run-up angle, that has changed his alignment & which is helping him to bowl quicker. Fantastic work by him,” he tweeted.

The analysis did not go well with India’s legendary spinner, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan. The 57-year-old blasted Pathan for his wrong breakdown.

” I don’t know what was discussed on commentary. Bowling fast does not help a spinner. You HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD, BALANCE YOUR BODY will allow Kuldeep to spin more through the air, hence being more effective. MORE SPIN MORE BITE OF THE PITCH, that is why they are called Spinners,” he replied.

“If they bowl quick it will skid off the pitch and not be effective. Bowling slower through the air, spinning more, and a good finish is required. Bowl with the body and not your hand alone,” he added.

India will square off against Sri Lanka in the final ODI at Thiruvananthapuram on January 15.

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India’s spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was not retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2022. However, the former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan feels that the spinner would be the target of all franchises in the mega auction. Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj were RCB’s retentions.

Chahal has been one of the best spinners in the cash-rich league. After his ordinary outing in the first leg of the tournament, he made a phenomenal comeback in the second half of the tournament in the UAE.

“RCB would want to buy him back. The other teams would want Chahal on their side because of his exceptional record in the IPL. The people who have more money will have the luxury of going for Chahal. In the end, Chahal might end up getting more money for being in the auction than by being retained.

I remember how RCB was raising the paddle seeing CSK going hard for Ashwin. If RCB wants Chahal, the other teams might just bid to ensure he costs more. So, in the end, Chahal might end up being benefitted,” Sivaramakrishnan told NDTV.

Sivaramakrishnan added that the main focus of the players is to play for the national team.

“Playing for the country is first and foremost. Your ambition as a young cricketer is not to play in IPL but to play for the country. There was no IPL when Ben Stokes or Steve Smith started to play. So, their aim would always have been to play for England and Australia.

There are two ways to look at IPL retention. Firstly, the players who have already been retained will feel a sense of security, and the players who have not been retained also have the opportunity,” the former cricketer added.

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Mohammed Siraj was sensational during India’s victory in the second Test against England. He took eight wickets in the match as Virat Kohli and his men defeated the rivals by 151 runs.

Former Indian cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan reckons that Siraj owes his success to bowling coach Bharat Arun. It was Arun who identified Siraj when he was associated with the state side of Hyderabad.

Sivaramakrishnan further stated that Siraj has a lot of hunger and Arun has imparted Knowledge to the fast bowler.

“Siraj’s success also has a lot to do with Arun. When he was the coach for Hyderabad for a year or so, he identified Siraj. And to Siraj’s credit, he had the hunger and desire to learn. Arun imparted a lot of knowledge,” said Sivaramakrishnan as quoted by The Hindustan Times.

Siraj has followed whatever Bharat Arun has taught him. “Siraj has just followed him. Some people might doubt it. Be sceptical whether it is the right thing to do or not but Siraj took Arun as his guru and went about doing exactly what he wanted him to do. Arun must have then passed it on to Shastri,” concluded Sivaramakrishnan.

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Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the former India spinner, wants the team management and national selectors to consider R Ashwin for the upcoming T20 World Cup if he performs well in the remaining matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE.

Ashwin has been kept out of the national side despite his exceptional bowling in the best T20 league in the world. Over the years, Ashwin has improved his bowling in the shortest format of the game by adding a lot of variety.

Speaking to media ahead of India’s ODI series against Sri Lanka, Sivaramakrishnan deserves to play in the World Cup.

“Yes, he (Ravichandran Ashwin) is one of the outstanding bowlers we’ve had in the last few years. His experience will definitely help. He bowls very well to left-handers. He’s not a slouch on the field, he can field reasonably well and is a safe catcher. He has worked hard on his fielding and fitness. He should be considered in my opinion. If there are a lot of left-handers in the opposition, you want your best off-spinner to be bowling to them. If Ashwin has a good IPL in the UAE, he should be considered,” Sivaramakrishnan said.

“If he works hard and has a good IPL, he can have a good chance of a comeback,” Sivaramakrishnan added.

Ashwin is in England at the moment. The veteran will play in the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

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