The Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) Under-19 head coach S. Venkataraman was allegedly attacked by three local cricketers who were upset over not being selected for the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The incident took place around 11 AM inside the indoor nets at the CAP complex.
Venkataraman suffered a head injury that needed 20 stitches, along with a fractured shoulder, according to a report by the Indian Express.
Sub-Inspector S. Rajesh confirmed the attack, saying, “Venkataraman received 20 stitches on his forehead, but he is stable. The players involved are absconding, and we are trying to track them. Further details will be revealed in due course.”
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FIR registered on Venkataraman's assault
An FIR has been registered at the Sedarapet police station. In his complaint, Venkataraman named three local players as the attackers: senior cricketer Karthikeyan Jayasundaram, and first-class players A. Aravinddaraj and S. Santhosh Kumaran. He also claimed that G. Chandran, secretary of the Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers’ Forum, had instigated them.
According to Venkataraman’s complaint, “Around 11 am on December 8, 2025, I was in the indoor nets at the CAP complex when Karthikeyan, Aravinddaraj, and Santhosh Kumaran came and began to abuse me. They said I was the reason they were not selected for the SMAT squad.
“While Aravinddaraj held me, Karthikeyan took the bat that Santhosh Kumaran had and attacked me. They said Chandran had told them they would get a chance only if they killed me.”
Pondicherry Cricketers’ Forum denies allegations
The Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers’ Forum, however, denied these allegations against Chandran. Senthil Kumaran said, “Venkataraman has a documented history of several cases against him. He is often rude to local cricketers and uses obscene language. His grudge against Chandran is well-known, as we have repeatedly raised issues within the CAP to the BCCI over the past seven years.”