 "Bishan Singh Bedi passes away: 'One of our best', 'moral beacon for all' and more tributes")
Former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi passed away on Monday (23 October). He was 77 years old and breathed his last at home in Delhi. Bedi played 67 Tests for India between 1967 and 1979 and took 266 wickets in his illustrious career. He also took seven wickets from 10 50-over matches. Bedi was one India’s iconic spin bowling combination that also featured BS Chandrasekhar and S Venkataraghavan. He played a clinical role in this troika. He was central to India’s first ODI win when he registered figures of 12-8-6-1 to restrict East Africa to 120 in a 1975 World Cup match.
The Amritsar-born spinner played Ranji Trophy cricket for Delhi. He was the leading wicket-taker among Indians in First-Class cricket with a jaw-dropping 1,560 wickets in 370 matches. The spinner also steered Delhi to their first two Ranji Trophy titles - in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Delhi also finished runners-up twice under his captaincy. All four finals came in a span of five years. As tributes poured in on his passing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote that Bedi’s “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.”
Former India seamer Irfan Pathan wrote: “Bishan Singh bedi One of our best is no more. It’s a loss to our cricketing fraternity. My deep condolences to his family.” Historian Ramachandra Guha posted: “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bishan Singh Bedi. He was a great cricketer and an even greater human being. He was a moral beacon for all those who knew him.” Rajdeep Sardesai, noted journalist and son of former India cricketer Dilip Sardesai, posted the confirmation of the saddening news. “I have very sad news to share: the legendary Bishen Bedi, arguably the greatest left arm spinner this country has produced, a larger than life sportsman who always fought the cricket board establishment for players rights, has passed away. Will be much missed. RIP.”
Current and former India cricketers and administrators paid their respects as well.
Bedi was a challenge to deal with not just on Indian pitches and in domestic cricket but on foreign pitches too. He featured for Northamptonshire in English county in 102 matches and took 434 wickets - the most by an Indian in English county. After his professional career, Bedi coached the Indian national team and was the first professional head coach in 1990. After quitting the Indian team role, Bedi coached quite a few state teams in domestic cricket and guided Punjab to its only Ranji Trophy win, in the 1992-93 season.