The gentleman’s game has long been celebrated for its spirit of sportsmanship, yet for former Indian leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the reality behind the boundary ropes was often far from noble. Recently, the 60-year-old veteran took to social media and interviews to detail a harrowing history of alleged racism and colourism that spanned his journey from a 14-year-old prodigy to a seasoned commentator. His revelations have sparked a necessary, albeit uncomfortable, conversation about the deep-seated prejudices within the cricketing ecosystem.

Sivaramakrishnan’s ordeal began long before he donned the India cap. At just 14, while serving as a net bowler at Chepauk, he was reportedly mistaken for ground staff by a senior India batter due to his dark complexion. The senior player demanded that the teenager clean his shoes. Though the young spinner stood his ground, the incident served as a chilling introduction to the systemic bias he would face for decades.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan opens up on alleged racism he experienced in Indian cricket

The discrimination was not limited to isolated encounters with seniors; it permeated his domestic career and international appearances. Sivaramakrishnan recalled how his own Tamil Nadu teammates frequently referred to him as ‘karupa’—a Tamil term used to mock his dark skin. This internal friction was mirrored by external hostility. During matches in North Indian cities like Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Jalandhar, the spinner was often subjected to derogatory chants from the stands. Crowds would taunt him with the phrase “Kalia, tera kya hoga,” a racially charged jab that reduced his athletic merit to the shade of his skin.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of his career occurred on his 17th birthday. What should have been a celebration turned into a source of lasting trauma when a senior cricketer mocked the dark chocolate cake brought for the occasion. The player reportedly joked that the cake was the ‘right color’ for a ‘dark boy.’

“Hey Sunny, you ordered the right colour cake. Such a dark chocolate cake for a dark boy,” Sivaramakrishnan told The Indian Express.

The comment was so hurtful that Sivaramakrishnan broke down in tears and refused to cut the cake, eventually finding solace only when Sunil Gavaskar stepped in to comfort him.

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The lasting impact on mental health and the sport

Sivaramakrishnan, who claimed 41 international wickets across 9 Tests and 16 ODIs, was widely considered one of the most gifted leg-spinners of his generation. However, the mental scars from these incidents remained long after his playing days ended. Even during his 33-year tenure as a commentator, a role from which he recently retired, the veteran suggested that colourism continued to play a role in how he was perceived and treated.

The statistics regarding representation and treatment of players from Southern India have often been a point of quiet debate, but Sivaramakrishnan’s vocal stance brings the issue into the spotlight. His story highlights a broader cultural challenge within India, where colourism (prejudice based on skin tone) is often dismissed as banter despite its devastating psychological effects. By coming forward, the former spinner isn’t just recounting personal grievances; he is challenging the BCCI and the global cricketing community to address the toxic culture that allows such discrimination to persist in the locker rooms and the stands alike.

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US Dollar bill bearing Trump’s signature (AI-generated image)

US President Donald Trump‘s administration has once again stirred controversy, this time with a proposal to include his signature on American paper currency ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary.The US Treasury Department announced on Thursday that future US dollar notes will carry Trump’s signature alongside that of the Treasury Secretary, marking the first time in history that a sitting president’s signature will appear on paper currency.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move is intended to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial celebrations in 2026, according to CNN. Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Bessent said in an official statement, “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability.”“There is no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J Trump than US dollar bills bearing his name, and it is only appropriate that this historic currency be issued at the Semiquincentennial,” Bessent added. Providing further context, the Treasury said the move is part of a broader effort to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, during which Trump’s likeness is also expected to feature on commemorative materials.US Treasurer Brandon Beach linked the proposal to the administration’s economic narrative. “As the 250th anniversary of our great nation approaches, American currency will continue to stand as a symbol of prosperity, strength, and the unshakable spirit of the American people under President Trump’s leadership,” he said.Beach further added, “The President’s mark on history as the architect of America’s Golden Age economic revival is undeniable. Printing his signature on the American currency is not only appropriate, but also well deserved.”However, the announcement has raised legal and political questions. US law has long restricted the depiction of living individuals on currency, a rule dating back to 1866 aimed at preventing any perception of monarchy-like practices.In 1861, the US government issued its first general circulation paper money, known as Demand Notes to finance the Civil War due to coin shortages and war expenses. According to the Act of July 17, 1861, $5, $10 and $20 notes were payable on demand in coin and were nicknamed “greenbacks” due to their green reverse side. The currency proposal comes alongside another contentious plan under consideration which includes issuing a $1 coin featuring Trump to mark the anniversary. Draft designs shared by officials show the president’s profile on one side and an image of him standing before the American flag on the other.

UBS has a neutral rating on Cipla with the target price cut to Rs 1,400, from Rs 1,750 earlier. Analysts said the company’s growth drivers are intact but supply headwinds weigh on near-term outlook. A healthy product pipeline to drive FY28 earnings for Cipla. However, there is a lack of near-term catalysts. They feel a healthy product pipeline to drive medium-term growth. They pointed out that there are near-term headwinds for Cipla with key product Lanreotide facing supply issues.Motilal Oswal Securities has initiated its coverage of Bajaj Finserv with a neutral rating and a target price of Rs 1,900. Analysts said in the lending business, the company provides the scale, profitability and about 11-crore customer base. The company remains the core value contributor, providing predictable earnings, strong return on equity (ROE) and sustained compounding.Jefferies has a buy rating on LG India with the target price at Rs 1,910. Analysts said that the initial summer trends were good. The company had a 7-9% price hikes in 3 & 5-star ACs in the Jan-March quarter (Q4FY26). Further hikes of 5-10% likely in April due to weak rupee, and higher raw material cost. While LPG shortage is a key industry risk, players are evaluating other fuel sources. LG India’s exports at 6% of sales, of which West Asia is a smaller part.Nomura has a buy rating on EClerx Services with the target price cut to Rs 2,200 from Rs 2,800. Analysts said that the company’s annual contract value was healthy and sales effectiveness was visible in deal wins and a robust pipeline. The company is aiming to reinvest margins while keeping the guidance band intact. The stock is trading at an attractive valuation of 14.6x FY28 earnings per share (EPS).CLSA has a high conviction outperform rating on Coforge with the target price at Rs 2,278. Analysts met the company’s CEO to discuss the latest AI narrative along with Coforge’s positioning. The CEO mentioned that AI is not going to be deflationary for service providers who have both domain and technical knowledge to build solutions around AI tools. Similar to hybrid cloud and SaaS managed services opportunities during the last decade, there will be a significant managed services opportunity around managing frontier models and orchestrating AI agents. The proof of pudding in case of Coforge would be visible in strong growth in NTM executable orderbook, revenue per employee and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) margins. The analysts reiterated their rating on a mid-teens US dollar revenue growth.JP Morgan has an overweight rating on United Spirits with the target price at Rs 1,565. The company announced full divestiture of its stake in Royal Challengers Sports for Rs 16,660 crore (Rs 230/share). Adjusted for tax it would accrue Rs 195-200/share against. This follows a strategic review of the entity announced on November 5, 2025, as the company aims to focus more sharply on its core alcoholic beverage business. The transaction is expected to be completed within 6 months, subject to necessary approvals.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Gujarat Titans’s Shubman Gill (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has made it clear that he is not feeling any added pressure heading into the Indian Premier League 2026 season, insisting that his primary focus remains on helping his team secure another title rather than chasing individual milestones.Gill, who currently leads India in Tests and ODIs, was notably left out of the T20I side to accommodate Sanju Samson at the top of the order. The decision proved effective, as India went on to win a record third Men’s T20 World Cup title at the Narendra Modi Stadium earlier this month, with Samson emerging as the Player of the Tournament.