PANJIM: Former international cricket umpire Dr Raja Nagarajan breathed his last today after brief illness. He was 70.
Nagarajan, a former scientist with the NIO in Dona Paula, was a popular BCCI umpire having had the distinction of officiating the India vs West Indies cricket match at Fatorda and the one-day international match between India and Zimbabwe in Orissa. Besides, he regularly supervised Ranji Trophy, DuleepTrophy, Irani, Wills tournament matches. He was the former joint secretary of GCA and a popular figure at Panjim Gymkhana in those days when he was active.
Nagarajan became State umpire in 1976, Ranji umpire in 1991 and international umpire in 1995-96. His tenure was at peak between 1978 till 1999.
Prashant Joshi, Chetan Dessai, former key office-bearers of Goa Cricket Association (GCA) condoled the death of Raja.