Pondicherry Cricket Shock As Cricketers Attack Coach Over Selection Row
A Pondicherry Under 19 cricket coach was attacked inside the training centre after players protested their non selection. An FIR was filed as reports of old selection issues resurface. BCCI has taken note while CAP faces renewed scrutiny.
Aryan K 
Pondicherry (Puducherry) [India], December 10: The Under 19 coach S Venkataraman was attacked recently. It happened inside the training area of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry. The incident happened in the morning when he was supervising routine practice. He suffered a deep head wound with many stitches. His shoulder was also hurt badly. Police said he was stable after medical help. The issue began when some players questioned their removal from the state T20 squad.
Players Named In Police Complaint
The coach told police that three local players took part in the assault. He said they caught him inside the indoor nets. Then they hit him with a cricket bat. He also revealed that they were angry. The reason for angry was non selection in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad. Police has shared that the players ran away after the attack. Now, they are continuously trying to locate them. An FIR was registered at the Sedarapet station.
Also Read: JPCC plans major push for Delhi rally against SIR policies on December 14
Forum Denies Any Instigation
In the complaint the coach also mentioned the name of a local forum member who he said pushed the players to act. The Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers Forum rejected these claims. Its members said the coach had earlier faced several disputes with players. They said he had arguments with many youngsters over behaviour. They also said they had raised issues about cricket management in the past but never asked anyone to harm him.
Old Problems Return To Spotlight
The assault took place soon after a report claimed that player selection in the region was facing many irregularities. The report pointed to use of wrong documents by some outstation cricketers to act as locals. It found that only a few Puducherry born players had played in Ranji Trophy since 2021. This added more pressure on the association. Cricket in the region has seen such selection debates earlier also since the team joined the national circuit in 2018.
Also Read: Al Falah University Fraud Probe Reveals ₹415 Crore Fake Education Scam
BCCI Takes Note As CAP Faces Questions
The national board reacted to the claims of unfair practices. A senior BCCI official said the issues raised are serious and will be checked. The CAP said they will not comment on the assault case. The CAP CEO stated that all players followed rules set by the board.
CEO said, "The association does not support any wrongdoing."
Police are still investigating the attack and locating the attackers. These are early reports and nothing is fully confirmed yet.
Stay Tuned to Attention India for more Updates!
