20 Stitches, Shoulder Fracture: U19 Coach Allegedly Assaulted By Players
A shocking incident has emerged from Puducherry’s cricketing circuit, where the U-19 head coach, S. Venkataraman, was allegedly assaulted by three players angry over their non-selection for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad. The attack left the coach with a deep head wound requiring around 20 stitches and a fractured shoulder.
How the Assault Happened
According to the complaint filed by the coach, the attack occurred inside the Cricket Association of Pondicherry’s indoor-nets facility. The three players confronted him soon after the selection list was announced. As tempers flared, the players allegedly picked up a cricket bat and assaulted him, accusing him of ruining their careers by excluding them from the team.
Police Action and Investigation
Police registered a case based on the coach’s complaint and confirmed the severity of his injuries. The accused players are reportedly absconding, and a search operation has been launched to trace them. Officers stated that the assault was not a minor argument but a targeted attack that resulted in serious physical harm.
Allegations of Instigation
The coach also claimed that he was targeted at the instigation of an official from a local cricket forum. He alleged that the forum had been pressuring coaching staff and interfering with selection decisions. The forum, however, denied these accusations and claimed that there had been long-standing grievances against the coach for his alleged mistreatment of local players.
Cricket Bodies Under Scrutiny
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about the culture within some regional cricket associations. Questions are being asked about:
Safety measures for coaches and officials
Disciplinary mechanisms for players
Transparency in team selection
Growing tension between local cricket forums and official associations
The Cricket Association of Pondicherry is expected to conduct its own inquiry once the police investigation progresses.
A Wake-Up Call for Grassroots Cricket
The assault has highlighted deeper issues within grassroots cricket — including pressure, lack of communication, and lack of emotional restraint among young players. Experts believe such violent reactions undermine the spirit of the sport and threaten the future of organised cricket in the region.
The coach is currently recovering, and further action will depend on the police investigation and internal reviews. The incident stands as a reminder that sportsmanship and discipline must be non-negotiable at every level of the game.
