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The cricketing world lost one of its most iconic figures on October 23, 2023, when Bishan Singh Bedi passed away at 83. Bedi was a legendary left-arm spinner who played for India from 1966 to 1979. Along with Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, he was part of the famous Indian spin quartet.
Career
Bishan Singh Bedi played his Test debut for India against West Indies in Kolkata 1966. He took 10 wickets in the match, including 7/98 in the second innings. This was a magnificent start to his Test career, and Bedi went on to become one of the most successful spinners in history.
Bedi was a master of spin and guile. He was known for his ability to turn the ball sharply on both sides of the wicket. He was also a very accurate bowler, and he was able to bowl long spells with great consistency.
The best bowling of his career Bedi was against England in Kolkata in the season 1972-73. He took 10 wickets for 206 runs in the match. In the second innings, he took a career-best of 7/65. This was match-winning for Bedi, as India won the Test by an innings and 44 runs.
Bedi was also a successful captain. He captained India in 22 Test matches and won 9 of them. He was an extremely aggressive captain, always looking to attack the opposition.
Bedi retired from Test cricket in 1979. He had played 67 Test matches and taken 266 wickets at an average of 28.71. He also played 10 One-Day Internationals for India, taking 7 wickets at an average of 32.28.
Personal Life
Bedi was born in Amritsar, Punjab, India on September 25, 1946. He was the eldest of 14 children. Bedi’s father was a police officer, and his mother was a homemaker.
- Bedi started playing cricket at a young age. He was initially a batsman, but he switched to bowling after a few years. Bedi’s bowling idol was Prasanna.
- Bedi was married to Anju Inderjit Bedi. They had two children, a son named Angad and a daughter named Neha.
- Bishan Singh Bedi is a greatest spinner and spectacular cricket player
Professional Life
After his retirement, he was a commentator as well as a columnist for several years. He also was inducted as a coach and he coached the Indian team between 1990 and 1991.
Bedi was certainly an outspoken and controversy-shrouded personality. None shied away from putting words in public when, indeed, the authorities come into question. Also, strongly arguing for the rights of a cricket player, Bedi did not fail to emphasize those.
Bedi was given the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour that India offers, in 1970. Bedi was also given the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
 The role of Bishan Singh Bedi in the world cup of 1983
Bishan Singh Bedi did not play in the 1983 Cricket World Cup but played a crucial role in India’s victory. He was one of the selectors for the Indian team, and he was instrumental in picking a team that was well-balanced and capable of winning the tournament.
Bedi was a great admirer of the importance that needed to be given to spin bowling, and he made sure the Indian team had an adequate mix of spinners and pacers. He also picked a side which was full of very young and talented players and they were eager to test their mettle on the world stage.
Bedi’s role in the 1983 World Cup victory is often overlooked, but it is clear that he played a very important part in the team’s success. He was a visionary selector who was able to put together a team that was capable of achieving the impossible.
Legacy
Bedi is said to be one of the greatest spinners in the history of cricket. He was a master in his art and, with his craft, could trouble the great batsmen of the world. He was also a highly successful captain. Under his leadership, India won numerous matches.
He was a model to all the young cricketers. He gave the world a message that even one need not be very tall and muscular to be a successful spinner. In the same way, many people found inspiration through Bedi and said that he had proved anything possible to happen if someone aimed to achieve it.
Bedi’s death is a huge loss to the world of cricket. He was a true legend of the game, and he will be deeply missed.
Here are some of Bishan Singh Bedi’s Stats:
He was part of the famous Indian spin quartet, along with Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar.
He took 10 wickets in a Test match on three occasions.
He was the first Indian bowler to reach 250 wickets in Test cricket. He won 9 out of the 22 Test matches he led India in. He received the Padma Shri in 1970 and the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Bedi was simply a sports icon of the game of cricket. He was perfect with spin and guile and was able to trouble the batsmen in the world. More than that, he has been an excellent captain too, and he has taken India to many easy victories. Bedi was a role model for innumerable young cricketers and inspired many.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
A: Bedi led the team to India’s very first Test series win against England in 1971 and took 266 wickets in Test cricket in 67 test matches.
Q: Did you know anything about his coaching career?
A: Bedi, after leaving cricketing, became a remarkable cricket coach and groomed lots of young talents, enhancing Indian cricket significantly.
Q: How did Bishan Singh Bedi add value to philanthropy?
A: Bedi had participated in a variety of social causes like developing sports for poor children and participating in many more philanthropic activities.
Q: What are the qualities that made Bedi a cricketing legend spinner?
A: Bishan Singh Bedi was one of the cricketing legends with impeccable line and length while delivering spin bowling.
Q: When and where did Bishan Singh Bedi die?
A: Bishan Singh Bedi died on July 25, 2021, in Delhi, India.
Q: How can I view his classic matches and interviews?
A: There are numerous classic matches and interviews of Bishan Singh Bedi that are available on various sports channels and online platforms.
