Bal Pandit

Bal Pandit
Personal information
Full name Bal Jagannath Pandit[1]
Born (1929-07-24)24 July 1929
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Died 17 September 2015(2015-09-17) (aged 86)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Batting style Right-handed
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1959–1960 Maharashtra
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 1
Runs scored 25
Batting average 25
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 25
Balls bowled 0
Wickets 0
Bowling average
5 wickets in innings
10 wickets in match
Best bowling
Catches/stumpings 0
Source: Cricinfo, 2 October 2015

Bal Jagannath Pandit (24 July 1929 – 17 September 2015) was an Indian cricketer, writer and broadcaster.

Early life

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

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

Being a law graduate, Pandit was one among the pioneers in Marathi cricket commentary and was commissioned by All India Radio for many decades. He was very fluent in Marathi commentary and was aired on All India Radio when there was no Television in Maharashtra. He was said to be the first known voice of cricket commentary in Marathi. Known for his additions in the Marathi dictionary of cricket commentary, Pandit was remembered by his fans for a stint of over four decades on All India Radio. His alternative words in Marathi, such as ‘aapat-baar’ for a bouncer ball, received wide popularity. He also performed commentary 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 the Prsident of Maharastra Cricket Association He played a vital role in the selection committee of the organisation.[4]

Mr. Pandit was also a Trustee of the Dnyaneshwar Samadhi temple complex in Alandi in 1970s.

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]

Awards

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

Death

Bal Pandit died due to prolonged illness on the night of 17 September 2015.[6] [7] [8]

References

External links

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