Mumbai, August 3: Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Naren Tamhane began his career as a bowler. By chance, he became a wicketkeeper and carved out a unique identity with his agility and quick reflexes.
Naren was born on August 4, 1931, in Mumbai. His father was a government employee. From a young age, Naren had a deep passion for cricket and aspired to build his career as a bowler. However, during a club match, he was asked to don the wicketkeeper’s gloves in the absence of the regular keeper, and that moment changed his fortune.
His agility and skills behind the stumps soon made him a topic of discussion. Naren started his first-class career in 1951 and became the highest run-scorer in the Rohinton Baria Trophy during the 1952-53 season, amassing 341 runs at an impressive average of 68.20. His consistent performances earned him a spot in the All India team for an unofficial Test against Frank Worrell’s Commonwealth XI the following season. He also made his Ranji Trophy debut that year.
Naren had the honor of wearing the Indian team jersey for the first time in 1955, debuting against Pakistan in Dhaka. Although he scored only 5 runs in that match, his wicketkeeping debut was memorable, as he made 5 dismissals.
During his time, Naren was regarded alongside India’s great wicketkeepers, such as Farokh Engineer and Prabir Sen. He played a total of 21 Test matches for India, scoring 225 runs, including one half-century. In wicketkeeping, he took 35 catches and made 16 stumpings. Naren was often compared to Australia’s legendary wicketkeeper Wally Grout, who was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame in 2016. In first-class cricket, Naren played 93 matches, scoring 1,459 runs, which included one century and five half-centuries. He also took 174 catches and made 79 stumpings. Naren Tamhane passed away in 2022 at the age of 71.
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