An under-19 coach at Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP), named S Venkataraman, was reportedly attacked by three local cricketers when they discovered they were excluded from the squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). The assault allegedly occurred on Monday afternoon, while he was supervising a practice session at the CAP nets.
The three players — identified as Karthikayan, Arvindraj and Santosh Kumaran — confronted Venkataraman about their non-selection. In a sudden escalation, one of them allegedly picked up a cricket bat and struck the coach repeatedly, while another held him down. According to the coach’s complaint, the attackers said they were told by a local cricket-forum official that their only chance to get selected was by “killing him.”
As a result, Venkataraman sustained serious injuries: a fractured shoulder and ribs, plus a deep cut on his forehead that required 20 stitches. The local police have registered a case of attempted murder and launched a manhunt for the three alleged assailants, who remain at large.
Allegations, Denials, and Accusations of Instigation
In his formal complaint, Venkataraman claimed that the assault was not spontaneous but instigated. He alleged that the trio was urged by a local cricket-forum secretary, G. Chandran, to attack him — claiming that their only shot at selection was to “kill” him.
However, the accused deny these claims. Forum president Senthil Kumaran argued that Venkataraman himself has a documented history of disputes with local players. According to Kumaran, Venkataraman has previously been accused of using abusive language toward trainees, and there have been persistent complaints about internal issues within CAP. Kumaran dismissed the instigation allegation and suggested the attack might stem from long-standing grievances.
Fallout: Shock, Security Concerns and Institutional Response
The violent assault inside a high-profile training facility has sent shockwaves through the local cricketing community. Officials and observers have spoken out, condemning the attack as a worrying sign of deteriorating discipline and extreme pressure associated with state-level selections.
The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and security of coaches and staff at cricket academies and training grounds. With CCTV reportedly nonfunctional at the CAP facility, the case underscores the vulnerability of such venues when internal conflicts turn violent.
Meanwhile, the association has pledged full cooperation with the police investigation, and a closer internal review is expected once the law-enforcement agencies conclude their inquiry. For now, the priority remains the apprehension of the accused and ensuring accountability for what many view as a dangerous breach of trust and safety in youth-level cricket.
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