https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Balu_AlagananBalu Alaganan - Revision history2026-07-31T04:53:10ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Balu_Alaganan&diff=85294&oldid=prev>GreenC bot at 16:52, 20 April 20212021-04-20T16:52:08Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}<br />
{{Infobox cricketer<br />
| name = Balu Alaganan<br />
| image = <br />
| country = India<br />
| fullname = Balu Alaganan<br />
| birth_date = 1925<br />
| birth_place = <br />
| death_date = {{death date and given age|2012|10|11|87|df=yes}}<br />
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India<br />
| height = <br />
| role = <br />
| club1 = [[Tamil Nadu cricket team|Madras]]<br />
| year1 = 1946/47–1954/55<br />
| clubnumber1 = <br />
| date = 22 June 2016<br />
| source = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/26660.html ESPNcricinfo]<br />
}}<br />
[[File:The First Tamilnadu Ranji Trophy Triumph Team of 1954-1955.jpg|thumb|300px|The First Tamilnadu Ranji Trophy Triumph Team of 1954-1955 with Captain R. B. Alaganan.]]<br />
'''R. B. Alaganan'''<ref name="thomian"/> (1925 – 11 October 2012), better known as '''Balu Alaganan''', was an Indian [[cricket]] player, administrator and commentator. He played six [[first-class cricket|first-class]] matches for [[Tamil Nadu cricket team|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]].<br />
<br />
==Life and career==<br />
Alaganan was born in 1925 and hailed from a planting family in [[Bodinayakkanur]]. He completed his schooling at [[S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia|S. Thomas' College]], [[Ceylon]],<ref name="thomian">{{cite web |last1=Muthiah |first1=S. |title=The old Thomian |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/The-old-Thomian/article12572826.ece |work=The Hindu |accessdate=8 August 2019}}</ref> and graduated from the [[Madras Christian College]].<ref name=amalgam>{{cite web|last1=Thyagarajan|first1=S.|title=Alaganan: a rare amalgam of finesse and fairplay|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/alaganan-a-rare-amalgam-of-finesse-and-fairplay/article3988751.ece|work=The Hindu|accessdate=22 June 2016|date=12 October 2012}}</ref><br />
<br />
An [[all-rounder]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thyagarajan|first1=S.|title=Captain who charmed everyone|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/04/stories/2002040400160400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021128125659/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/04/stories/2002040400160400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 November 2002|accessdate=22 June 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 April 2002}}</ref> 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 Ranji Trophy|1954–55]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Former commentator B Alaganan dies|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/586411.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|accessdate=22 June 2016|date=11 October 2012}}</ref> 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."<ref name=amalgam/><br />
<br />
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.<ref name="thomian"/> In 1988, he became the president of TNCA and held the position until 1993.<ref name=amalgam/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bedi|first1=Bishan Singh|title=Balu, you will remain in my heart|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/balu-you-will-remain-in-my-heart/article3988757.ece|work=The Hindu|accessdate=22 June 2016|date=12 October 2012}}</ref> <br />
<br />
Alaganan also won club-level titles in golf and tennis. He was the first Indian member and Indian president of the Kodaikanal Club.<ref name="thomian"/><br />
<br />
Alaganan died on 11 October 2012 at his house in [[Chennai]]. He was married and had a son and two daughters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Veteran TN cricketer Balu Alaganna is no more|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/india-in-australia/top-stories/Veteran-TN-cricketer-Balu-Alaganna-is-no-more/articleshow/16772892.cms?|work=The Times of India|accessdate=22 June 2016|date=11 October 2012}}</ref><br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=26660}}<br />
* {{CricketArchive|id=38078}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alaganan, Balu}}<br />
[[Category:1925 births]]<br />
[[Category:2012 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian cricketers]]<br />
[[Category:Tamil Nadu cricketers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian cricket commentators]]<br />
[[Category:Indian cricket administrators]]<br />
[[Category:People from Theni district]]<br />
[[Category:Cricketers from Tamil Nadu]]</div>>GreenC bot