An Indian under-19 (U-19) cricket coach in Puducherry was severely beaten inside the Cricket Association of Puducherry (CAP) complex, allegedly by three local players who believed he played a role in their exclusion from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad in Hyderabad.
Police have opened an attempted murder investigation and launched a search for the suspects.
According to officials, the coach, Venkataraman, was attacked on Monday afternoon while overseeing net practice. The accused, identified as Karthikayan, Arvindraj, and Santosh Kumaran, are said to have confronted him about their omission from the state team.
The confrontation quickly escalated, with the trio reportedly striking him repeatedly with a cricket bat before escaping.
A senior police officer described the assault to local news reporters as “planned and extremely brutal,” confirming that all three suspects are currently on the run. Authorities said Venkataraman sustained serious injuries, including fractured ribs, a damaged shoulder, and a deep head wound that required 20 stitches. He remains under medical care.
Police also noted that CCTV cameras inside the CAP premises were not functioning at the time of the attack, complicating the investigation.
The incident has triggered strong condemnation within Puducherry’s cricket community, with officials calling it a disturbing reflection of growing pressure and misconduct among aspiring players. CAP representatives said they would assist investigators and consider internal disciplinary measures once the police complete their probe.
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