Indian cricket was plunged into mourning as the legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi, passed away on Monday at the age of 77 in New Delhi.
Bedi, an iconic figure in the world of cricket, was celebrated as one of India’s finest spin bowlers who has left an indelible mark on the sport’s history.
As a part of the renowned Indian spin quartet of the 1970s, he stood as one of the greatest cricketers the country has ever produced. His family today confirmed his peaceful passing at his residence in the national capital.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur extended his condolences, remarking, “Former captain and a bowler forever remembered by the nation, Bishan Singh Bedi ji is no more. It’s a tragic news and a huge loss for the cricketing world. The cricket fraternity stands united with his family in their loss.”
Bedi, originally from Amritsar, was a left-arm orthodox spin maestro who claimed an impressive 266 wickets across 67 Test appearances. His illustrious career spanned 12 years, commencing with a home series against Garry Sobers’ West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata (then Calcutta).
He formed an integral part of the Indian spin quartet, alongside Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, anchoring the nation’s bowling unit for over a decade.
In addition to his Test cricket success, Bedi represented India in 10 one-day internationals, including appearances in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups in England. After retiring from the sport, he also served as the manager of the Indian cricket team for a brief time.
Meanwhile, BCCI too extends condolences on the passing away of legendary cricketer. In a post on X, the BCCI said, “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.”
