Balu Alaganan

R. B. Alaganan[1] (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.

Balu Alaganan
Personal information
Full nameBalu Alaganan
Born1925
Died (aged 87)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1946/47–1954/55Madras
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 22 June 2016
The First Tamilnadu Ranji Trophy Triumph Team of 1954-1955 with Captain R. B. Alaganan.

Life and career

Alaganan was born in 1925 and hailed from a planting family in Bodinayakkanur. He completed his schooling at S. Thomas' College, Ceylon,[1] and graduated from the Madras Christian College.[2]

An all-rounder[3] 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.[4] 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."[2]

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. He also became the president of Madras Cricket Club in 1967.[1] In 1988, he became the president of TNCA and held the position until 1993.[2] 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.[5]

Alaganan also won club-level titles in golf and tennis. He was the first Indian member and Indian president of the Kodaikanal Club.[1]

Alaganan died on 11 October 2012 at his house in Chennai. He was married and had a son and two daughters.[6]

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References
  1. Muthiah, S. "The old Thomian". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  2. Thyagarajan, S. (12 October 2012). "Alaganan: a rare amalgam of finesse and fairplay". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  3. Thyagarajan, S. (4 April 2002). "Captain who charmed everyone". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  4. "Former commentator B Alaganan dies". ESPNcricinfo. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  5. Bedi, Bishan Singh (12 October 2012). "'Balu, you will remain in my heart'". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  6. "Veteran TN cricketer Balu Alaganna is no more". The Times of India. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
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