Chocolate Cake for Dark Boy’: Laxman Sivaramakrishnan Recalls Racism

Former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has opened up about multiple instances of racial discrimination he endured during his playing days, revealing how such experiences left a lasting emotional impact on his career and personal life.

In an interview, as reported by, the former leg-spinner recounted that his first encounter with discriminatory behaviour occurred when he was just 14 years old. At the time, he had joined an Indian team camp as a net bowler at Chepauk. While still in his playing attire, a senior cricketer allegedly mistook him for ground staff and asked him to clean his shoes. Sivaramakrishnan said he was taken aback and refused, later realising the incident stemmed from prejudice related to his appearance.

He further explained that such incidents were not isolated. During his time with the Tamil Nadu team, he was reportedly subjected to remarks referencing his dark complexion. Additionally, while fielding in cities like Mumbai, Chandigarh and Jalandhar, he recalled hearing derogatory chants from spectators targeting his skin colour.

One of the most distressing episodes, he said, took place during his 17th birthday celebration. According to Sivaramakrishnan, a senior teammate made a racially insensitive comment comparing his skin tone to the colour of a chocolate cake arranged for the occasion. The remark deeply upset him, bringing him to tears and initially making him refuse to cut the cake. He added that former India captain Sunil Gavaskar stepped in to console him, after which he reluctantly proceeded with the celebration.

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Once regarded as one of India’s most promising young spinners, Sivaramakrishnan acknowledged that his international career did not progress as expected. While performance factors played a role, he suggested that the psychological toll of repeated discriminatory experiences also contributed to his struggles.