NEW DEHLI: The cricketing world mourns the loss of a true legend as Bishan Singh Bedi, one of India’s finest spin bowlers, has passed away at the age of 77 after battling a prolonged illness.
Known for his mesmerizing skills on the field and his unapologetic outspokenness off it, Bedi left an indelible mark on the sport.
Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Bedi’s cricketing journey began at a young age, and when he made his debut for the Indian cricket team against the West Indies in 1966, little did the world know that they were witnessing the rise of a spin bowling maestro. Over the span of his illustrious 12-year career, he represented India in 67 Test matches and led the team in 22 of them, taking a total of 266 wickets.
Bedi’s unique pink or bright blue turban and his graceful, almost languid, run-up made him a spin bowling purist’s dream. His ability to conjure variations in flight, loop, spin, and pace without any discernible change in action set him apart from his contemporaries. Cricket writer H Natarajan once described him as “stealthy, silent and deadly, a master of deception.”
One of his most memorable performances came in 1969 when he picked up seven wickets for just 98 runs against Australia in Kolkata, a match that India, unfortunately, lost. Bedi had the knack of flighting the ball higher than any bowler in international cricket, a skill that challenged even the most agile batsmen.
Bedi’s artistry with the ball earned him accolades from some of the game’s greatest names. Sir Garry Sobers, a West Indies legend and one of cricket’s all-time great all-rounders, praised Bedi’s ability to “take the weight off the ball nicely.” Mike Brearley, an iconic England captain, called Bedi’s bowling “beautiful,” and Sir Donald Bradman, often regarded as the finest batter in cricket history, considered Bedi among the “finest bowlers of his type.”
Not only was Bedi exceptional on the cricket field, but he was also a trailblazer off it. He was known for his outspoken nature, often getting entangled in controversies. He once declared India’s innings at 97-5 against West Indies in protest against intimidatory bowling and injuries to Indian batsmen. He accused England’s John Lever of using Vaseline to swing the ball during a tour of India in 1977 and forfeited a match against Pakistan the following year, alleging partisan umpiring.
Bedi’s courage and principles extended beyond the boundary. He refused a lucrative offer to play in Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket in 1978. Later, he criticized player auctions in the Indian Premier League, believing that players were treated as commodities. He wasn’t afraid to criticize cricket board officials and even asked for his name to be removed from a stand in Delhi’s main cricket stadium in protest against a political statue.
Apart from his cricketing legacy, Bedi was known for his flamboyant personality and a great sense of humour. His daughter fondly remembered a home filled with laughter, food, and free-flowing alcohol. He had a deep love for dogs, often bringing various breeds from his stints in the UK.
As the “Sardar of spin,” Bedi was not just a cricketing great but also an irreverent personality and a rebel in his own right. The cricketing world will forever cherish the memories and contributions of this iconic figure who left an indelible mark on the sport. Bishan Singh Bedi will be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
