The Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) was shocked on Monday after its Under-19 head coach, S Venkataraman, was allegedly attacked inside the association’s training facility by three local cricketers who were upset over missing selection for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The incident took place around 11 am at the indoor nets, where Venkataraman suffered a head injury that required 20 stitches and a shoulder fracture.
Police have registered an FIR at the Sedarapet police station. Sub-Inspector S Rajesh confirmed the seriousness of the injuries, adding that the accused players were “absconding” and efforts were underway to trace them as per the Indian Express.
CAP in crisis after shocking incidents
In his police complaint, Venkataraman named Karthikeyan Jayasundaram, A Aravinddaraj, and S Santhosh Kumaran as the attackers. He also alleged that the trio acted on instructions from G Chandran, secretary of the Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers’ Forum. According to the complaint, Venkataraman said:
“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.”
The Bharathidasan forum strongly denied the allegation, claiming Venkataraman had a history of disputes with local players and had behaved rudely with them. Its president, Senthil Kumaran, said Venkataraman was “well-known” for past conflicts and insisted Chandran had no role in the assault.
As far as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is concerned, Pondicherry had their moments as they beat heavyweights like Baroda, Bengal and Haryana in Elite Group C. However, with four wins in seven games, they failed to qualify for the Super League, which is set to begin from December 12.
Corruption allegations on Pondicherry Cricket
This violent episode comes just a day after an Indian Express investigation showed long-standing tensions inside CAP, revealing how local players were routinely sidelined while outstation cricketers allegedly secured places using fake educational certificates and Aadhaar documents. Since 2021, only five Puducherry-born cricketers have played a Ranji Trophy match as per the investigation.
Responding to the broader allegations, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the report raised “serious issues” that the board would examine. CAP’s CEO Raju Metha, however, defended the association, insisting that all players had followed eligibility norms and that there was “zero tolerance for corruption.”
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