Ravi Thakur - Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025Puducherry cricket was rocked when three local players attacked S. Venkataraman, the head coach of the under-19 team. The incident stemmed from team selection for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). It is reported that the players were upset over not being included in the team, leading them to attack the coach. The coach suffered serious head and shoulder injuries and has been hospitalized.
The attack occurred Monday morning at the CAP (Cricket Association of Pondicherry) indoor nets. Coach Venkataraman was overseeing a practice session when three local players, Karthikeyan Jayasundaram, A. Arvindraj, and S. Santosh Kumaran, arrived and reportedly began abusing the coach. The altercation escalated to the point where the players attacked the coach with bats. According to police, Venkataraman received 20 stitches on his forehead and a fractured shoulder. He is currently out of danger, but the attackers are absconding and a search is underway for them.
This controversy isn't just about selection. An Indian Express report claims that "local players" in Puducherry are being consistently overlooked. Instead, many outside players are being included in the team using fake documents. According to the report, only five local players have been included in the Ranji Trophy since 2021. This has caused anger among local cricketers, which is now clearly visible.
Following the report and the attack on the coach, the BCCI has called the matter a serious matter. Board Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the entire incident and the reported allegations will be investigated. This clearly indicates that this matter will no longer be limited to the CAP, but will be investigated at the national level.
In his complaint, coach Venkataraman not only named three players but also accused G. Chandran, secretary of the Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers Forum, of misleading the players. Although the CAP has not issued an official statement on the incident, the way the matter is escalating raises serious questions about the functioning of Puducherry cricket.
