Narendra Shankar "Naren" Tamhane (1931–2002) was an Indian cricketer who played as a wicket-keeper for the India national cricket team during the 1950s. Known for his technically sound and unobtrusive glovework, he represented India in Test cricket and was a regular fixture in the Indian middle-order behind the stumps in the years following the retirement of Probir Sen.
| Full name | Narendra Shankar Tamhane |
|---|---|
| Born | 1931 |
| Died | 2002 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Role | Wicket-keeper |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Domestic team | Bombay |
| International format | Test cricket |
Tamhane came up through the strong Bombay cricketing system, which dominated Indian domestic cricket in the post-Independence period. He played his Ranji Trophy cricket for Bombay, a side that was a perennial contender for the domestic title and a regular supplier of players to the Indian Test team.
Tamhane made his Test debut for India in the mid-1950s. He was selected primarily for his wicket-keeping ability, especially against spin, which was a significant requirement for an Indian wicket-keeper given the strength of India's spin attack at the time. He kept wickets to bowlers such as Subhash Gupte, whose leg-spin demanded a precise and quiet glovesman.
During his Test career he toured with India and played against major opposition of the era, including Pakistan, Australia, the West Indies and England. He was regarded as one of the more reliable Indian wicket-keepers of the 1950s before the emergence of Budhi Kunderan and, subsequently, Farokh Engineer.
At the domestic level, Tamhane was associated with Bombay in the Ranji Trophy. He was part of the Bombay sides that maintained a strong record in domestic competition during his playing years.
After retiring as a player, Tamhane remained involved with Indian cricket administration and selection. He served on the national selection committee, contributing to team selection during a transitional phase of Indian cricket.
Tamhane is remembered as a representative of the quiet, classical school of Indian wicket-keeping, prioritising clean technique over flamboyance. His career is part of the wider story of Bombay's contribution to the Indian Test team in the first two decades after Independence, and of the close working relationship between Indian wicket-keepers and the country's celebrated spin bowlers.