On Monday, the cricketing world bid farewell to the former captain of the Indian cricket team, Bishan Singh Bedi, who passed away at the age of 77.
A legendary left-arm spinner, Bedi graced the cricketing arena by representing India in 67 Test matches from 1967 to 1979, where he achieved the remarkable feat of claiming 266 wickets.
Additionally, he made his mark in the limited-overs format, capturing seven wickets in 10 ODI matches. Bedi, along with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and S Venkataraghavan, is credited with pioneering the art of spin bowling in India.
Was known for his exquisite mastery of flight and spin
Bedi was known for his exquisite mastery of flight and spin, employing subtle variations to outfox batsmen. His leadership was instrumental in India's historic series victory against England in 1971, where he took the helm in the absence of the injured Ajit Wadekar, cementing India's reputation as a formidable cricketing nation.
During his illustrious career, Bedi's impact extended beyond the international stage. He featured in a total of 370 first-class cricket matches for Delhi, amassing an impressive tally of 1560 wickets. His last international appearance came on 30 August 1979 in a match against England.
Bedi led India in 22 Test matches
In the realm of captaincy, Bedi led India in 22 Test matches, with six victories, eleven losses, and five draws. In the ODI format, he took charge in four matches, securing one win and enduring three losses.
Bedi also graced the 1975 World Cup
Bedi also graced the 1975 World Cup with his presence, playing two matches for India against East Africa and New Zealand. Although he claimed a single wicket in each of these matches, this World Cup appearance marked a significant chapter in his cricketing journey.
Contributed to the growth of young cricketing talent
Beyond the field, Bedi generously shared his knowledge and wisdom as a mentor to numerous spin bowlers, contributing to the growth of young cricketing talent in India. His influence extended into the commentary box, where he earned respect for his insightful analysis and advocacy of fair play and sportsmanship.
Even after hanging up his boots, Bedi continued to be a vocal and respected figure in the cricketing world, offering his opinions on various cricket-related matters. He remains an iconic and revered presence in Indian cricket, celebrated for his artistry and unwavering dedication to the sport.
First wife was Australian
Bedi married twice. His first wife was Australian. In 1967-68, the Indian team went on Australia tour. During this time, Bishan Singh Bedi met Australian girl Glenith at a party in Melbourne. The two fell in love and soon got married.
A few years later, Bedi-Glenith had a son, whom they named Gavas Inder Singh. The word 'Gavas' in the name was taken from the surname of legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Bishan Singh Bedi and Glenith got divorced after a few years.
After this, Bedi got married for the second time to Anju. He has son Angad Bedi from second marriagr. Angad is a well-known model and actor. Bedi also has a daughter named Neha from his second marriage.
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