Balu Alaganan
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Balu Alaganan |
| Born | 1925 |
| Died |
(aged 87) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 1946/47–1954/55 | Madras |
| Source: ESPNcricinfo, 22 June 2016 | |
R. B. Alaganan (1925 – 11 October 2012), better known as Balu Alaganan, was an Indian cricket player, administrator and commentator. He played six first-class matches for Madras and captained the team to its maiden Ranji Trophy title. A well-known radio commentator, he also worked in administrative roles for the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.
Life and career
Alaganan was born in 1925 and hailed from a planting family in Bodinayakkanur. He completed schooling in Ceylon and graduated from the Madras Christian College.[1]
An all-rounder[2] who batted in the middle-order, Alaganan represented Madras in six first-class matches between 1946 and 1955. He was the captain of the Madras team that won its maiden Ranji Trophy tile in 1954–55.[3] He retired after the season and turned to radio commentary. As a commentator he was described by The Hindu as "a lucid, to-the-point narrator, imparting to his observations the weight of experience and expertise that underlined an academic, intellectual approach."[1]
Alaganan also worked in administrative roles after retirement. He worked as the vice-president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) from 1961 to 1986. In 1988, he became the president of TNCA and held the position till 1993.[1] After having worked as a selector, he worked as the assistant team manager of India on its tours to New Zealand and West Indies in the 1975–76 season, with Polly Umrigar as the manager.[4]
Alaganan died on 11 October 2012 at his house in Chennai. He was married and had a son and two daughters.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 Thyagarajan, S. (12 October 2012). "Alaganan: a rare amalgam of finesse and fairplay". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ↑ Thyagarajan, S. (4 April 2002). "Captain who charmed everyone". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ↑ "Former commentator B Alaganan dies". ESPNcricinfo. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ↑ Bedi, Bishan Singh (12 October 2012). "'Balu, you will remain in my heart'". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ↑ "Veteran TN cricketer Balu Alaganna is no more". The Times of India. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2016.