Tensions rise at the Cricket Association of Pondicherry as local players assault coach S Venkataraman
Overview:
As per the complaint, the players confronted him after being left out of the state’s T20 squad.
Tensions flared at the Cricket Association of Pondicherry’s camp when three local players, reportedly furious about being dropped from the SMAT squad, allegedly assaulted U-19 head coach S Venkataraman, according to The Indian Express.
Venkataraman sustained a serious head injury that required 20 stitches, along with a broken shoulder. The altercation is said to have unfolded around 11 am inside the indoor nets at the CAP centre, and an FIR was lodged at the Sedarapet police station.
“Venkataraman needed 20 stitches on his forehead, but his condition is stable,” Sub-Inspector S Rajesh said.
“The players involved are currently on the run, and we’re working to trace them. We’ll share more information as the investigation progresses,” he added.
Venkataraman told police that Karthikeyan Jayasundaram, A Aravinddaraj and S Santhosh Kumaran were responsible for the attack, and further accused G Chandran of allegedly fuelling tensions and pushing the trio.
As per the complaint, the players confronted him after being left out of the state’s T20 squad.“Aravinddaraj grabbed me while Karthikeyan took the bat from Santhosh Kumaran and struck me, trying to kill me. They kept hitting me, saying Chandran told them they’d only get a chance if they killed me,” Venkataraman stated in his complaint.
The Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers’ Forum dismissed the claim that it had encouraged the attack. Forum president Senthil Kumaran said: “Venkataraman has a recorded history of multiple cases against him. He’s also been known to treat local cricketers poorly, including using abusive language. His dispute with Chandran is no secret either, especially since we’ve repeatedly flagged several CAP-related issues to the BCCI over the past seven years.”
The developments came a day after an Indian Express report alleged CAP irregularities, including forged documents used to label “outstation” players as locals and limited chances for Puducherry-born cricketers. The report said only five Puducherry-born players have featured in Ranji Trophy matches since 2021. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia called the allegations serious and said the board would review them soon.
CAP did not offer any comment on the alleged assault. But responding to the earlier investigation, CAP CEO Raju Metha maintained that the association follows BCCI norms, saying player documentation met the required rules, and stressed that the body has a strict no-corruption policy.” Read could not independently verify the information.
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