Indian cricket legend Bishan Singh Bedi dies aged 77; Anurag Thakur terms it 'huge loss for cricket...'
Bishan Singh Bedi death: Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi died aged 77 on Monday. The legendary spinner played 67 Tests for India between 1967 and 1979 and picked 266 wickets. He also took seven wickets in 10 One-Day Internationals.
Born on September 25, 1946, in the vibrant city of Amritsar, India, Bishan Singh Bedi was a distinguished left-arm orthodox spinner known for his elegant and artful bowling. His illustrious journey in international cricket commenced in 1966 and continued until 1979, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Bishan Singh Bedi's exceptional skills were on full display as he mesmerised cricket enthusiasts with his mastery of flight and spin, employing subtle variations to outmaneuver batsmen at every turn. His leadership proved to be a turning point in India's cricket history, especially during the historic 1971 series victory against England. In the absence of the injured Ajit Wadekar, Bedi took the helm as captain, solidifying India's reputation as a formidable and competitive force in the world of cricket.
Bishan singh bedi One of our best is no more. It’s a loss to our cricketing fraternity. My deep condolences to his family. — Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 23, 2023
Bedi, together with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan, played a pivotal role in orchestrating a revolution in the annals of Indian spin bowling. Their collective efforts reshaped the narrative of spin bowling in Indian cricket, setting new standards for excellence. Moreover, Bedi's influence extended to the limited-overs format, where he played a significant role in India's maiden ODI victory.
One of the most remarkable instances of his skill and precision was witnessed during a 1975 World Cup match, where his bowling performance was nothing short of extraordinary. With remarkable figures of 12-8-6-1, he demonstrated his incredible control and finesse, restricting East Africa to a mere 120 runs, a testament to his unparalleled mastery on the cricket field.
Condolences pour in
"Deeply saddened by the demise of the legendary spinner and former captain of the Indian cricket team Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. Bedi Ji will live in our memories not only through his contribution to the cricketing world but also as the master of crafty bowling who could weave magic on the pitch. My heartfelt condolences to his family members and his fans in this hour of grief,' said Amit Shah, Union Home Minister.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said, "Saddened to learn about the demise of Indian cricketing legend Bishan Singh Bedi. The former Indian team Captain gave India many memorable moments with his left arm bowling. My heartfelt condolences are with his family and fans in this time of grief."
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur described Bishan Singh Bedi's demise as a huge loss for cricket..."
- With inputs from agencies
