Rameshchandra Gangaram "Bapu" Nadkarni (4 April 1933 – 17 January 2020) was an Indian cricketer who played Test cricket for India between 1955 and 1968. A left-arm orthodox spin bowler and a left-handed batsman, he was renowned for his exceptional accuracy and economy, and is widely regarded as one of the most miserly bowlers in the history of Test cricket.
| Full name | Rameshchandra Gangaram Nadkarni |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 April 1933, Nasik, Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 17 January 2020 (aged 86) |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Slow left-arm orthodox |
| Test debut | 1955, vs New Zealand |
| Last Test | 1968 |
| Domestic teams | Maharashtra, Bombay |
| Honours | Padma Shri (1967) |
Nadkarni was born in Nasik in the present-day state of Maharashtra. He developed his cricket in the strong domestic culture of western India and went on to represent both Maharashtra and Bombay in the Ranji Trophy, the two leading sides in Indian domestic cricket during his era.
Nadkarni had a long first-class career, primarily as an all-rounder. He scored heavily for Bombay in the Ranji Trophy and was part of several Bombay sides that dominated the competition during the late 1950s and 1960s. His ability to bowl long, accurate spells and bat usefully in the middle order made him a mainstay of the domestic circuit.
He played 41 Test matches for India, taking 88 Test wickets and scoring over 1,400 runs, including a Test century. He featured in series against Australia, England, the West Indies, New Zealand and Pakistan during a transitional phase for Indian cricket.
Nadkarni is most often remembered for his bowling figures against England at the Corporation Stadium, Madras (now Chennai), in January 1964. During that match he bowled an extraordinary spell that included 21 consecutive maiden overs, conceding only a handful of runs across an exceptionally long spell. The feat is frequently cited as among the most economical bowling performances in Test history and is closely associated with his career.
Nadkarni's bowling was built on length, line and patience rather than sharp turn. Captains used him as a containing bowler who could tie up an end for long periods, allowing more attacking bowlers to operate from the other. His career economy rate is among the lowest in Test cricket. As a batsman, he was a reliable left-hander capable of solid contributions in the lower-middle order.
Following retirement, Nadkarni remained involved with Indian cricket as a selector and coach, and contributed to the development of younger players in Mumbai's club cricket structures. He was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1967 in recognition of his services to the sport.
Nadkarni died on 17 January 2020 at the age of 86.
Nadkarni represents a generation of Indian cricketers who built their reputations on discipline and craft rather than flamboyance. His Madras spell against England remains a reference point in discussions of bowling economy, and he is regarded as a pioneer of the role of the containing left-arm spinner in Indian cricket, a tradition later carried forward by bowlers such as Bishan Singh Bedi.