Puducherry cricket body suspends three first-class players on charges of assault on Under-19 state coach

Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) has suspended three of its first-class cricketers with immediate effect on allegations that they assaulted the Under-19 state team’s coach Venkataraman on December 8 last year, the state body announced on Wednesday.

The three players — J. Karthikeyan, A. Aravindaraj and S. Santhosh Kumaran — have all represented Pondicherry across Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in recent years. In fact, Aravindaraj had represented the union territory during last domestic season also.

A press release issued by CAP said: “The trio have been charged with attempt to murder and assault on Venkataraman. A formal charge sheet has been filed by Station House Officer (SHO) Sedurapet Police Station under FIR 100/2025 and the matter is pending before Judicial Magistrate-IV Court Puducherry.” The CAP, in its own capacity, has “suspended the players” from entering any of its said campus and they are prohibited from using any of state association’s facilities.

The players will not be allowed to play in any national or external tournaments and the suspension will remain effective till the court clears them of all charges. The accused trio do have the option of appealing to the Ethics Officer/Ombudsman of the state cricket body.

Published on Apr 22, 2026