Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, born on December 31, in 1965, at Madras, was primarily a leg-spinner and a right-hand batsman.

This Madras talent, bearing the sobriquet, "Siva", had represented India only in Tests. Sivaramakrishnan , rose to prominence, at the tender age of 12, by capturing 7 wickets for 2 runs in a Madras inter-schools championship competition.

When Laxman Shivaramakrishnan was only 15, he got him included as the youngest player in the Under-19 India echelon that underwent an expedition to Sri Lanka , supervised by Ravi Shastri in 1980.

The 16 year old Siva , entered the arena of first-class cricket, with valor. His debut against the Delhi cricket team in the quarter final of the Ranji Trophy held in 1981/82, catapulted him to the heights of fame . The dashing Siva collected 7 wickets for 28 runs in the second innings. He pocketed all the wickets within a spell of eleven overs.

This superb Sivaramakrishnan inevitably, became the choice of South Zone for their Duleep Trophy game against West Zone. Shiva compensated for his inability to procure a single wicket in the first innings , in the very second innings. The second innings projected him as the prolific Laxman Sivaramakrishnan , obtaining five wickets. One of his wickets was of Sunil Gavaskar, who was rendered out by a baffling googly of this leg-spinner.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan`s proving his caliber, paved his ascension into the Indian Team, venturing out for the tour to Pakistan in 1982-83.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, 17 years, 118 days old, emerged to be the youngest Indian player to play Test cricket against the tough opponents, West Indies at St. John`s in Antigua, somewhat later the same season. Siva could not earn a place of distinction for him. He could accumulate a meager of 17 runs and went wicket less.

He was one of the Young India members who voyaged to Zimbabwe , in 1984. A liittle later, the same year, he performed as one of the supportive pillars of Indian bowling, in India Under-25, against the English cricket team, that arrived in India .

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, made his second Test participation in the India Vs England at Bombay in 1984-85. His first memorable wicket was that of Graeme Fowler, who was sent out of the crease being caught and bowled off by a full toss of Siva . Siva delivered a powerhouse performance, by plucking out 12 for 181 runs. On the whole, he annexed 23 wickets, and was awarded the `Man of the Series". Much of the wickets were conquered by Laxman Sivaramakrishnan`s superb full-toss and half-volley bowling, which gifted the Indian team, its much desired success.

Sivaramakrishnan`s contributions as the highest wicket-taker, were indispensable to the victory of the Indian Team in the World Championship of Cricket , that occurred in Australia in 1985. His remarkable achievement was the trapping of Javed Miandad. The veteran Pakistan player, Miandad, was stumped off a leg-break in the crucial final. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan continued in the same vein in the following four nations Tournament , held at Sarjah.

Unfortunately, Siva lacked consistency , with regard to his performance-level. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, showed little merit in the next season`s Test against Sri Lanka and Australia. There ceased his Test career.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, resumed back to play , during the 1987 World Cup team . He took part in only two matches. The wicket of the Zimbabwe`s John Traicos, was the singlemost wicket that could be attributed to his bowling prowess.

Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, tried his hand at batting as well. He sustained this spree for batting for another decade . He flaunted three dazling hundreds , gifting Tamil Nadu its much-covetted win during the Ranji trophy in 1987/88.

His penultimate service was for Baroda. He left his legacy as the one of the most dexterous fielders of his time.

Laxman Shivaramakrishnan works as a TV commentator at present . Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, is one among these unfotunate players, who inspite of innate substance, could not hold their brilliance for long.