The News Freedom
New Delhi, October 23
Former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi passed away on Monday. He was 77-years-old, a report said. “ 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.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on his account on social media platform X.
“Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Bishan Singh Bedi ji. My condolences to the family” said Virat Kohli in a post on X.
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, The Hindu reported. “Slow left-armer with an armoury of variations, Bedi played 67 Tests between 1967 and 1979, taking 266 wickets at an average of 28.71, while he also played in 10 ODIs. Bedi led his country in 22 Tests, winning six times, between 1975 and 1979, and at the time of his retirement, he was India’s leading wicket-taker before being overtaken by Kapil Dev a few years later, a report in The Guardian said. Bedi was instrumental in a spin quartet with leg-spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and off-break bowlers Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Erapalli Prasanna that helped India’s rise in the 1960s and 1970s.” a report said.
Bedi the bowler and Bishan Singh Bedi the person were two distinct entities, and need to be analysed separately. While the left-arm par excellence was full of guile, variety, and deception – foxing the best batsmen of his time – and retiring as the highest wicket-taker in Tests for India, his straightforwardness in matters of cricket administration, and life in general, took few prisoners, reported The Indian Express.
Prominent personalities and politicians across India condoled the death of legendary cricketer Bedi.Union Home Minister Amit Shah 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.
Expressing heartfelt condolences Union Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur, said that saddened to hear about the passing of legendary India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi. His contributions to Indian cricket and his artistry on the field will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing community.
“Growing up our lives are moulded by the spirit, the gusto and sheer grace of people who we see and experience around us. Mr. #BishanSinghBedi was one of them. May God bless his soul & thank u Sir for teaching us so much about sports & life. You will be missed immensely. RIP” Shah Rukh Khan said in a post on X.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has also condoled the sad demise of Bedi. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister described the death of the legendary spinner as a colossal loss for the cricket lovers. He said that Bedi better known as ‘Sardar of Spin’ along with other spinners formed the most lethal spin quartet in the history of Indian cricket. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the death of Bishan Singh Bedi marks the end of the golden era of Indian spinners in the world of cricket.
The Chief Minister said that the renowned spinner will always be remembered for his immense contribution to Indian cricket in the annals of sports history. He said that the death of Bishan Singh Bedi has created a huge void in the field of cricket, which will not be filled in the near future. Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, relatives, friends and millions of cricket lovers in this hour of grief, Bhagwant Singh Mann prayed to the Almighty to give courage to the family members to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also condoled the death of former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi. He said Bedi’s contribution to Indian cricket shall always be cherished.
In a post on his X account SAD president, Sukhbir Badal, said that the left-arm spinner mesmerised the world with his bowling skills and went on to enrich the game.