Name Rajan Bala | Role Columnist | |
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Died October 9, 2009, Bengaluru Books Days Well Spent: A Cricketing Odyssey | ||
Rajan Bala, who used a shortened form of his full name 'Natarajan Balasubramanian', was a noted columnist in cricket. Best known as someone who toured with every Indian cricket team from 1968 to 2003, Nata-rajan was technically accomplished in cricket techniques even though he was a journalist. In 1997, even Sachin Tendulkar who was having some problems with his technique approached him for advice.
Rajan was not afraid to back a player who he felt had potential. A graduate of the London School of Economics, he decided to trust his heart and involve himself in cricket. Rajan earned the respect of many all-time great cricketers including Tiger Pataudi. He also wrote many books on cricket.
Rajan died in Bangalore on 9 October 2009 due to kidney failure. His last book Days Well Spent was to be released in October, 2009 in Bangalore and Mumbai; he died before the release. He was 63 years old, and is survived by his wife and two sons.