Three Puducherry cricketers suspended on assault charges

The CAP said in a statement that a "formal chargesheet has been filed" against the players

ESPNcricinfo staff

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 2:24 PM (3 hrs ago)

Three Puducherry cricketers - J Karthiyeyan, A Aravindaraj and S Santhosh Kumaran - have been suspended from "all cricketing activities" conducted by the Cricket Association of Puducherry (CAP), following charges of assault on an Under-19 coach.

In a statement, CAP said the three players were involved "in a grave criminal case, including charges of attempt to murder and assault on Mr. Venkataraman, CAP's U19 coach".

The CAP said the incident occurred on December 8, 2025, and that a "formal chargesheet has been filed" in the Sedurapet Police Station, with the matter "currently pending before the Hon'ble Judicial Magistrate - IV Court, Puducherry".

In view of the incident, the CAP ordered the following sanctions against the players:

They are suspended with immediate effect from all cricketing activities conducted under the aegis of CAP.

They are strictly prohibited and banned from entering the CAP Siechem campus, Tutipet, Pondicherry and any CAP-controlled premises until further orders.

They shall not be permitted to represent CAP in any capacity in domestic or external cricket tournaments/activities.

This suspension shall remain in force until the Hon'ble Court adjudicates the matter and clears the accused of all charges.

Puducherry were last in action in domestic cricket during Ranji Trophy 2025-26, where they finished sixth in Group D after winning one of their seven matches.

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