Bal Pandit

Bal Jagannath Pandit (24 July 1929 – 7 September 2015) was an Indian cricketer, writer and broadcaster.

Bal Pandit
Personal information
Full nameBal Jagannath Pandit[1]
Born(1929-07-24)24 July 1929
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Died17 September 2015(2015-09-17) (aged 86)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
BattingRight-handed
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1959–1960Maharashtra
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 1
Runs scored 25
Batting average 25
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 25
Catches/stumpings 0/–
Source: Cricinfo, 2 October 2015

Early life

He was born in Poona.[2] He was a right-handed batsman who played for Maharashtra.

Playing career

Pandit made his cricketing debut in the Rohinton Baria Trophy, in which he played for Poona University for two seasons between 1951 and 1953. He made a single first-class appearance, during the 1959-60 season, representing Maharashtra against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy. In the only innings in which he batted, he scored 25 runs.[3]

Later career

Pandit was a pioneer in Marathi cricket commentary and was commissioned by All India Radio for many decades. His coining of new words in Marathi for cricket terms such as ‘aapat-baar’ for a bouncer ball received wide popularity. He was also a cricket commentator in English for a short period. Being a first-class cricketer himself, Pandit’s commentary was clinical. He was known for focusing on the scope of improvement in a player in his commentary. His achievements in live commentary for 40 years was also noticed by the Limca Book of World Records

Bal Pandit was the secretary of Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) in the mid-1980s. He was also the President of Maharashtra Cricket Association. He played a vital role in the selection committee of the organisation.[4]

Pandit was also a Trustee of the Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi temple complex in Alandi from 1966 to 1999.

Books

Pandit was also a prolific cricket writer and wrote 35 books. He authored several columns in newspapers and magazines, striking a chord with common people and enhancing their knowledge with illustrations. His translation of Sunil Gavaskar’s book Sunny Days in Marathi became immensely popular. He authored a number of books in Marathi.[5]

  • Sunny Days (translation in Marathi)
  • The Little Master
  • Prakrami Daura
  • Ase Samane Ase Kheladu
  • Athawanitil Vyakti Ani Prasang
  • Cricketmadhil Navalkatha
  • Cricket Tantra Ani Mantra
  • “ Lokmanyancha Manasputra"

Awards

The Maharashtra government recognized him with the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports award in 1978.

Death

Bal Pandit died due to prolonged illness on the afternoon of 17 September 2015.[6]

gollark: I don't understand what this is actually doing.
gollark: Actually, when a piece is promoted, it always was the appropriate socially-approved gender for its role.
gollark: Did you know? You can literally learn more listening to a lizard in an hour than you would in a full day at a university. It’s hard to walk around with a gecko balanced on your shoulder, but you get used to the stares.
gollark: Why not just not use the bot...?
gollark: fffff

References
  1. Bal Jagannath Pandit
  2. Bal Pandit
  3. Bal Pandit
  4. His achievements in live commentary for 40 years was also noticed by the Limca Book Of World Records
  5. Veteran Marathi commentator passes away
  6. Veteran cricket Marathi commentator no more: ‘Bal Pandit held an unparalleled vision that helped MCA rise’
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