Former India captain and renowned spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi, has sadly passed away at the age of 77 on Monday. Bedi had been battling health issues for the past two years and had recently undergone knee surgery. He is survived by his wife Anju and their two children, Neha and Angad.
“The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India Test Captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fans in these tough times. May his soul rest in peace,” read a post from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Bedi, who played 67 Tests during his illustrious 12-year career from 1967 to 1979, was one of India’s most celebrated cricketers. He, along with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan, constituted the most formidable spin quartet in the history of Indian cricket, revolutionizing the art of spin bowling worldwide.
Awarded the Padma Shri in 1970, Bedi also captained India in 22 Tests and was part of India’s first-ever ODI against East Africa in 1975, where he bowled 12 overs, conceded just six runs, and took one wicket. Bedi is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-arm spinners in the history of the game.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur expressed his condolences, saying, “Former captain of the Indian cricket team and a bowler who will always be remembered fondly, Bishan Singh Bedi ji is no longer with us. It’s a very tragic news and a big loss to the world of cricket.”
Bedi made his Test debut against Australia in 1969-70 and went on to finish the series with 21 wickets. He continued his exceptional performance, taking 25 wickets against England, 18 against West Indies, and 22 more against England. His remarkable career featured impressive bowling figures against England and Australia. Bedi’s legacy as one of the greatest spinners of all time remains intact.
Bedi was a key figure for Delhi in Ranji Trophy, leading the team to consecutive titles in 1978-79 and 1980-81. Moreover, he left an indelible mark in County cricket, where he played 102 First-Class games for Northamptonshire, amassing 434 wickets from 1972 to 1977.
In 1976, Bedi took on the role of captain for the Indian team, succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. His captaincy began on a high note, with a historic victory against the formidable West Indies in Port-of-Spain. However, despite initial success, a series of challenging Test losses to England, Australia, and Pakistan led to Bedi’s removal from the captaincy, with Sunil Gavaskar taking over.
Bishan Singh Bedi’s contributions to Indian cricket will always be cherished, and his legacy as a cricketing legend lives on.
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