Puducherry: The head coach of the Puducherry Cricket Association (CAP) Under-19 team was brutally assaulted on the field by three senior players allegedly angered over their non-selection for a major tournament.
The victim, Coach S. Venkatraman, was attacked at around 11 AM yesterday within the premises of the Puducherry Cricket Association. According to the police complaint filed by Venkatraman, the assailants—identified as Karthikeyan Jayasundaram, Aravindaraj, and Santosh Kumaran—confronted him in the nets training area. An argument ensued, with the players reportedly questioning why they were omitted from the Puducherry squad for the upcoming 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 series.
The altercation quickly turned violent. The coach alleges that Aravindaraj held him while Karthikeyan grabbed a cricket bat from Santosh Kumaran and struck him repeatedly. In his First Information Report (FIR), Venkatraman stated the attackers claimed, “Bharathidasan Puducherry Cricketers’ Association Secretary G. Chandran had told them that they would get a chance in the team only if they killed me.” Chandran has since denied any involvement or issuing such a statement.
Severe Injuries and Police Manhunt
The assault left Venkatraman with grave injuries, including a fractured skull and a shoulder fracture. He required immediate hospitalization, where he received 20 stitches on his forehead. The Shettarappatti police have registered a case and launched a search for the three accused players, who are currently absconding.
Underlying Tensions in Puducherry Cricket
The attack has brought to the forefront long-simmering tensions within Puducherry’s cricketing circles. There have been persistent complaints about “outsider” players allegedly using fake local certificates to secure spots in teams, thereby denying opportunities to native cricketers. This incident is being viewed by many as a violent outburst stemming from such deep-seated frustration over selection policies.
BCCI Announces Probe
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken serious note of the incident. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated, “This is a very serious allegation. The BCCI will soon conduct an investigation into the irregularities in the Puducherry Cricket Association.” This indicates that the probe will extend beyond the assault to examine the broader administrative and selection issues plaguing the association.