The Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) is a “clean” organisation where “players select themselves through performance”, according to P Damodaren, MD of Siechem Technologies Ltd who was president of Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP) till August. Damodaren was responding to a questionnaire from The Indian Express detailing the findings of its investigation, which found coaches at private academies offering documents for a “fee” to bypass the BCCI’s residency norms and qualify as local cricketers — and overlapping interests of Siechem and CAP. Edited excerpts:
Q) This Ranji Trophy season, there were no Puducherry-born players in the playing XI for five consecutive matches. Since 2021, only five players hailing from Puducherry have featured in 29 matches. Why isn’t the CAP promoting local cricketers?
A) Only those who are born, studying, employed, or residing in Pondicherry with valid proof as required by BCCI are selected to represent CAP. Even today, there are no major hospitals in Yanam (adjacent to AP), Mahe (adjacent to Kerala), Karaikal & Pondicherry (adjacent to TN). Parents naturally go to neighbouring cities in other states for childbirth. Therefore, those who play for CAP are not “foreigners.” They are local players with 100% valid documents, which you are welcome to check and audit.
Q) Why hasn’t the CAP not released the 2022-25 and 2025-28 election results and voters’ lists?
A) Election results and annual reports are published on www.cap-cricket.com. We follow the same procedures as the BCCI. The elections were conducted by former Chief Election Commissioner of India, T S Krishnamurthy, after following due process (The Indian Express accessed the website and found that the CAP Apex Body election results were not available. The last available data on the voters’ list dates back to August 27, 2019— a list containing the names and details of 32 voting members of the CAP for the 2019-22 term).
Q) As per the CAP voters’ list for 2019-22 — the last available on record — eight of the 13 Life Members and 13 of 16 Club Members are employed by Siechem Technologies Ltd. Isn’t this a clear case of conflict of interest?
A) None of the voting club members belong to Siechem. In neighbouring state associations, dozens of clubs are controlled by those in power — but not in CAP (A communication on May 26, 2025, from Damodaren to the BCCI, which was reviewed by The Indian Express, lists five Life Members as Siechem employees).
Q) Local coaches in private academies have been acting as middlemen, offering packages, including college admission and address records, for fees of upto Rs 1.2 lakh to outstation cricketers to bypass the BCCI’s one-year residency norms, get listed as “local” and qualify for CAP team selection. Are you aware of this practice?
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A) Schools in Pondicherry are not showing interest in fielding strong junior teams. To fast-track cricket development, CAP decided to promote the game through cricket academies across Pondicherry. We now have two divisions — Elite & Plate. Selections for the state are done strictly by selectors, not academy coaches. CAP is clean, and no corrupt practices are followed. In fact, players select themselves through performance.
Q) There are no records available for the 16 voting clubs under CAP. There are no records, including scorecards, to show that these clubs have appeared in division-league cricket for CAP selections.
A) Fifteen clubs have been members since 2003, when CAP was established, and have played numerous league tournaments. From Jan-Feb 2026, league tournaments will restart subject to players’ availability… not a single new voting member has been added post BCCI approval. (The Indian Express found that the September 2019 voters’ list signed and approved by former CEC Krishnamurthy shows 16 club members with voting rights in the CAP. However, there are no playing records for any of these teams available on the CAP website or annual reports).
Q) Several players have been found to share the same local Aadhaar address without the house-owners’ knowledge. Is the CAP aware of such a practice, has it taken any action?
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A) All players have genuine rental deeds, rents paid through GPay, and consent letters from house owners. Allegations otherwise are baseless. This was verified by BCCI ACU (Anti-Corruption Unit) based on fake complaints.
Q) Records show that the Siechem ground land that has been leased to the CAP will be transferred to your children at the end of the lease term in 2039. What happens to the infrastructure and developments facilitated by BCCI funds within the CAP complex? Has the CAP developed any grounds beyond the Siechem complex?
A) No land is available in Pondicherry to build such large infrastructure — 45 acres with 8 grounds, residential rooms, gym, indoor & outdoor facilities, etc. To promote cricket, my family helped CAP. If you calculate market value of the land, total amount spent, and even 1% interest, it comes to approximately Rs 750 crore donated, considering the 25-year lease at Rs 1 per acre. Hence, (the) allegations are baseless.
Q) What was the nature of the “anti-CAP activities” that had the association banning five local players, including a former Ranji Trophy captain, earlier this year?
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A) As per CAP’s constitution, those individuals are banned for anti-CAP activities, supported by evidence.
Q) What motivated you to take up cricket administration in Pondicherry?
Pondicherry was earlier annexed to TNCA (Tamil Nadu Cricket Association). Like Goa, I wanted Pondicherry to play Ranji Trophy and host international matches. We are on the right path.
Q) How has local Pondicherry cricket benefited from the establishment of CAP under BCCI?
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A) Pondicherry’s local talents have started performing. Kavisha (Elayaperumal) scored back-to-back hundreds in T20 (Women’s U23 T20 Trophy – Plate division). Yuvashri (Karthikeyan) represented South Zone (in the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal T20 Trophy). Akash Pugazhendhi scored 50 in 14 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Haryana (last week). There are many more such achievements.
Q) How much money does Siechem give the CAP annually in sponsorship?
A) CSR funds provided by Siechem to CAP are fully reflected in the annual reports uploaded on the CAP website.
