R. Balu Alaganan 1925 2012.
R. Balu Alaganan was an affable gentleman who had a passionate interest in sport, particularly cricket. His name will always be special in Tamil Nadu cricket as he led the then Madras to their first ever Ranji Trophy triumph in 1954-55. Balu passed away in Chennai on Thursday after illness.
An all-rounder of no mean talent, Balu was a natural, if somewhat understated, leader to whom the others responded by playing their best. He himself played a decent hand in the Ranji triumph, sharing a 77-run vital last wicket stand with M.K. Murugesh in the second innings after Holkar had asked Madras to bat on a jute matting pitch.
Coming from a wealthy, plantation-owning family in Bodi in hilly south western Tamil Nadu, Balu had a long innings in the TNCA as administrator, being a vice-president from 1961 to 1986 and then president from 1988 to 1993. He was a soft-spoken, well meaning administrator who had the game's interest always in mind and never played petty politics. He also withdrew gracefully once his term was over as he did not hanker for the top post in the first place.
I remember taking the core of the Indian team to his presidential office at Chepauk because the curator refused to cut any grass off the Test pitch on the eve of the match against England. Skipper Azhar did not know Balu well and he sought my help to convince him that some grass had to go for the sake of the Indian team that was just recovering from a slump on tours to South Africa and Australia.
Balu readily agreed to pass on instructions to trim the grass and India were to take a 2-0 lead before whitewashing England 3-0 in Mumbai. Balu took keen interest in the sport as a commentator who went on tours for AIR.
He was a keen golfer too and used his summer breaks in Kodaikanal to catch up with the fraternity. His son Nanda also took up the game and played it with distinction. BCCI president pays tribute BCCI president N.Srinivasan paid glowing tributes to Alaganan.
“Balu Alaganan embellished and adorned the game of cricket both as a player and an administrator par excellence. He captained the TN team that won the Ranji Trophy in 1954-55 season for the first time.
“He held the post of Vice President of TNCA and was the President of the TNCA from 1988 to 1993. I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of his family and pray that his soul rests in peace,“ Srinivasan said.