The world of cricket, often celebrated for its spirit of fair play and sportsmanship, has been marred by a deeply disturbing incident in Pondicherry. In an unprecedented act of violence, U-19 head coach S Venkataraman was allegedly assaulted with a bat by three local cricketers over a team selection dispute. The brutal attack has left the veteran coach with a head injury requiring 20 stitches and a fractured shoulder, casting a long shadow over the integrity of domestic cricket in India [[4], [11]].
Table of Contents
- The Incident: A Timeline of Terror
- Who is S Venkataraman?
- The “Cricket Coach Assaulted” Case and its Aftermath
- A Pattern of Violence in Domestic Sports?
- BCCI Guidelines and the Road Ahead
- Conclusion: Rebuilding Trust in Cricket
- Sources
The Incident: A Timeline of Terror
The assault on the cricket coach occurred in the early hours of December 8, 2025, inside the indoor nets of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) complex [[6], [13]]. According to reports, three senior cricketers, furious at their exclusion from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) squad, confronted Venkataraman . What began as an argument over their non-selection quickly escalated into a vicious physical attack.
Venkataraman, who was alone at the facility, was allegedly beaten with a cricket bat. The violence was so severe that he sustained a deep laceration on his head, necessitating 20 stitches, and a fracture in his shoulder . The coach later told police that the attackers had expressed their anger over being dropped from the state’s T20 squad, which is currently competing in the SMAT .
Who is S Venkataraman?
S Venkataraman is not just a coach; he is a respected figure in the Pondicherry cricketing community. A former secretary of the CAP, he has dedicated his life to nurturing young talent in the Union Territory . His role as the U-19 head coach placed him at the heart of the selection process for the state’s junior teams, a position that, in this instance, made him a target for misplaced rage.
The “Cricket Coach Assaulted” Case and its Aftermath
The immediate fallout from this horrific event was swift. An FIR (First Information Report) has been filed with the local Thavalakuppam police, naming the three alleged assailants [[2], [8]]. The police investigation is reportedly examining whether the attack had “murder intent,” highlighting the gravity of the situation [[5], [14]].
The incident has thrown the CAP into turmoil, exposing what appears to be a deep-seated selection scandal and a complete breakdown in discipline . The fact that such a violent act could occur within the very walls of a cricket association’s training facility is a damning indictment of the administrative and ethical climate .
Witnesses and a Wall of Silence
Reports suggest that the Women’s head coach, Marika Rodu, and the Under-23 team manager, Anushil Kumar, were present at the complex during the incident. However, both have reportedly declined to comment on the matter, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation .
A Pattern of Violence in Domestic Sports?
While this incident is extreme, it raises uncomfortable questions about the pressures and lack of conflict resolution mechanisms in Indian domestic sports. The intense competition for limited spots in prestigious tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy can create a toxic environment. When combined with a potential lack of proper channels for grievance redressal, it can, in rare and tragic cases, boil over into violence.
BCCI Guidelines and the Road Ahead
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently been proactive in introducing stricter codes of conduct for players. In January 2025, the BCCI unveiled a 10-point disciplinary policy aimed at promoting unity, discipline, and mandatory participation in domestic cricket [[20], [21]]. This policy also includes a revamped Code of Conduct that was tested during the 2025 IPL, designed to bring “consistency, fairness, and transparency” across all its tournaments .
However, these guidelines primarily focus on player behavior on and off the field in a broader sense. This incident in Pondicherry underscores an urgent need for the BCCI to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for any form of physical or verbal abuse, especially directed at support staff like coaches and administrators. The safety and respect of all individuals within the cricket ecosystem must be non-negotiable.
For more on the state of domestic cricket administration, see our analysis on [INTERNAL_LINK:cricket-administration-challenges-india].
Conclusion: Rebuilding Trust in Cricket
The assault on coach S Venkataraman is more than just a criminal act; it is a direct assault on the values that cricket is supposed to uphold. It is a stark reminder that sporting excellence must be matched with personal integrity and respect. The BCCI, the CAP, and the entire cricketing fraternity must take swift and decisive action to ensure such an incident never happens again. The perpetrators must face the full force of the law, and the systemic issues that allowed this to happen must be addressed. Until then, the spirit of the game in Pondicherry, and perhaps beyond, remains deeply wounded.
Sources
- Times of India: Cricket coach assaulted with bat over team selection, suffers 20 stitches
- The Hindu: Puducherry cricket body’s coach assaulted, FIR names three players
- The Indian Express: Shocking Scenes! Puducherry Cricket Coach Allegedly Thrashed By Local Players
- ESPNcricinfo: BCCI introduces 10-point disciplinary guidelines for players