Puducherry U-19 coach assaulted by local cricketers after non-selection

The Under-19 head coach of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP), S. Venkataraman, was allegedly assaulted on Monday, December 8, by three local cricketers following their non-selection for the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a national T20 tournament. Venkataraman reportedly sustained a head injury and a fractured shoulder.

Sub-inspector S. Rajesh of the Sedarapet police station confirmed the incident, stating that an FIR has been registered. According to The Indian Express, the CAP administration has been systematically denying adequate opportunities to Puducherry-born players in domestic competitions.

The report further revealed that several outstation cricketers were allegedly passed off as local players using fake educational certificates and Aadhaar addresses. Since 2021, only five locally born players have represented Puducherry in the Ranji Trophy.

“Venkataraman received 20 stitches on his forehead, but he is stable. The said players are absconding, and we are trying to track them. Further details will be revealed in due course,” said S Rajesh as quoted by The Indian Express.

“The news items raise some serious allegations, and therefore the BCCI will look into the matter soon,” said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.

In his police complaint, former CAP Secretary Venkataraman named three local cricketers, Karthikeyan Jayasundaram, a senior player who has featured in six matches across formats, and A. Aravinddaraj and S. Santhosh Kumaran, both of whom have represented Puducherry in Ranji Trophy fixtures. He also accused G. Chandran, Secretary of the Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers’ Forum, of instigating the attack. The Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers’ Forum denied the allegations against Chandran.

“Around 11 am on December 8, 2025, I was in the indoor nets inside the CAP complex before Pondicherry senior cricketers Karthikeyan, Aravinddaraj and Santhosh Kumaran came and began to abuse me, insisting that I was the reason for their non-selection in the SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) squad. While Aravinddaraj held me, Karthikeyan took the bat that Santhosh Kumaran had and attacked me with the intention of killing me. They hit me, saying Chandran had told them that they would get a chance only if they killed me,” Venkataraman said.

“Venkataraman has a documented history of several cases against him. He has often been known to behave rudely with local cricketers, using obscene language. His grudge against Chandran is also well-known, considering that we have repeatedly raised several issues within the CAP to the BCCI over the last seven years,” said Senthil Kumaran, president of the local cricketers’ forum.

The CAP declined to comment on the incident. Meanwhile, CAP CEO Raju Metha stated that all players representing the association have strictly adhered to the BCCI’s eligibility norms. He added that the organisation maintains zero tolerance for corruption and that no credible evidence has ever been found to substantiate allegations of wrongdoing.

“At no point did he (The Indian Express reporter) approach CAP for any clarification, verification or response before publishing his report,” said Metha in a press release.

According to The Indian Express, a detailed questionnaire regarding CAP’s functioning was sent to the association’s founder, P. Damodaren, and his response was published in full on its website. The report also noted that earlier attempts to contact Metha had gone unanswered.