Renowned Indian spin maestro and former captain, Bishan Singh Bedi, passed away on Monday, leaving behind a profound impact on the world of cricket. His admirers from across the cricketing universe have poured in tributes to honor his legacy.
Despite battling illness in recent years, Bedi’s unwavering passion for the sport endured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the social media platform X to pay his respects, stating, “His passion for the sport was unwavering, and his exemplary bowling performances led India to numerous memorable victories. He will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.”
Bedi, celebrated for his guile on the pitch and candid opinions off it, graced the field in 67 Tests between 1967 and 1979, emerging as India’s leading wicket-taker with 266 victims at the time of his retirement. He was an integral part of India’s famous spin quartet, alongside Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, and Erapalli Prasanna.
Notably, Bedi led India in 22 Tests and made a bold declaration in Kingston, protesting against what he termed “intimidatory bowling” by the West Indians in 1976. Later, he assumed the role of India’s coach and, in 1990, made headlines by threatening to “dump the team into the sea” following poor results.
Even in his role as a commentator, Bedi never held back, vocally criticizing spinners with dubious bowling actions and highlighting chucking as a significant threat to the game.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, lamented the loss, stating, “Indian cricket has lost an icon today. Bedi Sir defined an era of cricket and left an indelible mark on the game with his artistry as a spin bowler and his impeccable character.”
Former Indian players Gautam Gambhir and Irfan Pathan, along with cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, also expressed their grief on social media.
Bedi was not only a cricketing legend but also a champion of transparency in cricket administration. Historian Ramchandra Guha fondly remembered him, saying, “He was a great cricketer and an even greater human being. He was a moral beacon for all those who knew him.”
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