They are not being given a chance in the cricket team for the ongoing national T20 tournament Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy due to bias. Alleging this, three local cricketers thrashed U-19 team coach S. Venkataraman with a bat. The coach was so badly injured that he had to get 20 stitches on his forehead. He also suffered injuries in other parts of his body including a shoulder fracture. He lodged a complaint with the police station.
The accused cricketers are Karthikeyan Jayasundaram, a senior player who has appeared in six matches across formats; A Aravinddaraj and S Santhosh Kumaran, both of whom have represented Puducherry in Ranji Trophy matches. All three cricketers are absconding. The board has said that they will take strict action.
The incident took place on December 8 at the Pondicherry Cricket Association (CAP) complex. Venkataraman has filed a complaint at the local Sedarapet police station. Sub-Inspector S Rajesh of the Sedarapet police station, where an FIR has been filed, said: “Venkataraman received 20 stitches on his forehead, but he is stable. The said players are absconding, and we are trying to track them. Further details will be revealed in due course.”
Venkataraman’s complaint is against Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers Forum Secretary G. Chandran. Venkataraman alleged that he was attacked on Chandran’s orders.
In his complaint to the police station, 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,” Venkataraman said in his complaint.
Forum President dismisses allegations
Pondicherry Cricketers Forum president Senthil Kumaran dismissed all the charges and said, “There are multiple allegations against Venkataraman himself. He misbehaves with local cricketers. He uses foul language. He has a grudge against Chandran. Everyone knows that. Because in the last seven years, Chandran has repeatedly complained to the CAP and BCCI about his activities.”
Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, “The news report has raised important allegations. The board will investigate them quickly and take action.”
Outstation players being played in Pondicherry using forged documents
The incident came to light a day after an Indian Express investigation revealed systemic manipulation within the CAP to limit opportunities for Puducherry-born cricketers while allowing “outstation players” to be passed off as locals using forged documents. Only five Puducherry-born cricketers have featured in Ranji Trophy games since 2021, the report says.
News reports have recently highlighted how cricketers from other states were being played for Pondicherry instead of local cricketers in exchange for money. Fake Aadhaar cards were also made for this as per the news reports. From state organisation officials to businessmen, various people are directly involved in this. Everything is happening yet the board is indifferent.