Indian cricketers assault U-19 head coach for non-selection

In a shocking incident in Pondicherry, three local cricketers allegedly assaulted the U-19 head coach of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) after he failed to select one of them for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s domestic T20 championship.

According to Indian media reports, the assailants attacked coach Venkatram inside the indoor nets at the CAP complex on the morning of December 8. The assault left him with a fractured shoulder and deep head injuries requiring 20 stitches.

Police have registered an FIR in the case. In his complaint, Venkatram alleged that G Chandran, secretary of the Bharatiya Dasna Pondicherry Cricketers Forum, had instigated the three players to carry out the attack.

He identified the attackers as senior Pondicherry cricketers Arvind Daraj, who allegedly restrained him, and Karthikeyan, who reportedly used Santosh Kumaran’s bat to strike him.

The investigation is underway, and authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the violent confrontation.