BISHAN Singh Bedi, former India captain and one of the greatest left-arm spinners, died on Monday at the age of 77 after battling prolonged illness. Bedi is survived by his wife Anju, son Angad and daughter Neha. “He breathed his last at his home this morning. He recently underwent a knee operation. The infection spread and he could not recover from that,” said one of his close friends. Born in Amritsar in 1946, Bedi played 67 Tests for India and took 266 wickets with 14 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. He was the part of Indian cricket’s golden quartet of spinners that also had Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chadrasekhar and Srinivas Venkataraghavan.

 

They formed the core of India’s bowling unit for more than a decade between 1966 and 1978. Bedi was briefly the manager of the Indian cricket team in 1990 during tours of New Zealand and England. He was also a national selector and mentor to many talented spinners like Maninder Singh and Murali Kartik, who all swore by his technical insight. Bedi was one of the most admired Indian captains and he led the team for nearly four years in Test cricket between 1975 and 1979 after Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi’s retirement. Throughout his life, he remained anti-establishment and his views often ruffled feathers of those in power. He was the longest serving Delhi Ranji team captain from 1974 to 1982 and under him the team became a force to reckon with national cricket circuit. Bedi will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers: PM Modi: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish on Monday at the death of legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi and said he will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers. “Deeply saddened by the passing of noted cricketer Shri Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. 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. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” Modi said on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the death of Bedi and said he will live in people’s memories as the “master of crafty bowling who could weave magic on the pitch”. BJP President J P Nadda also condoled Bedi’s death and said his illustrious career was marked by sheer brilliance and commitment to the progress of Indian cricket. “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,” Shah wrote on X. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recalled Bedi as country’s “greatest ever left-arm spinner”. In a post in Punjabi on X, Mann wrote, “Received the sad news of the demise of Sardar Bishan Singh Bedi ji, the former captain of the Indian cricket team and known as ‘Sardar of Spin’. “As a cricket lover, I have always been a fan of Bishan Singh ji’s game... In Indian cricket’s history, Bishan Singh ji’s name, written in golden letters, will always remain in our memories.

 

Heartfelt condolences to the family and the loved ones,” he posted. Bishan Singh Bedi was one of the greatest spinners who brought glory with his spin wizardry, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday, condoling the death of the cricket legend. “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of Bishan Singh Bedi. The Former Indian Test captain was one of the greatest spinners who brought sporting glory with his spin wizardry. My condolence to the bereaved family and prayers for the departed soul,” Patnaik posted on X, formerly Twitter.