Former India cricketer and spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi has passed away aged 77. The former India skipper was ailing for the last two years and he also underwent multiple surgeries during this period. Perhaps, Bedi had also undergone a sugery on his knee around a month ago. Bedi is survived by wife Anju and two children - Neha and Angad.
As far as his playing career is concerned, He played 67 Tests and 10 ODIs for India during his 12-year international career and picked up 266 wickets in the longest format of the game, the highest in Test cricket at the time of his retirement. Moreover, one of the best left-arm spinners of his playing times, Bedi accounted for seven scalps in his short ODI career as well.
His recent appearance came in a Bollywood film Ghoomer, that released in August earlier this year, alongside his son Angad Bedi. Bishan Singh Bedi was the vice-captain when India first played the World Cup and also featured in the 1979 mega event for the country. For the unversed, the cricketer from Punjab was also part of India's first ODI victory. He had registered miserly figures of 12-8-6-1 as India defeated East Africa in the World Cup. Bedi was a part of India's famous spin quartet comprising Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan that led India to several victories.
Soon after Bishan Singh Bedi's death, tributes poured in from the current and former India cricketers including former India skipper Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan and Suresh Raina among many others. "Deeply saddened to hear the loss of Bishan Paaji. He was someone who always had my back and who genuinely shared his thoughts on the game. Cricketing fraternity will miss him dearly. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones," Kumble wrote on Twitter.
"Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Bishan Singh Bedi Sir, a legend and a true ambassador of the sport. His contribution to Indian cricket will be remembered forever. My heartfelt condolences to his family," Dinesh Karthik wrote in his tribute.
"Deeply saddened by the passing of the cricket legend, Shri Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. His impact on the sport is immeasurable, and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time," Raina tweeted.
"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," BCCI wrote on twitter.
"Sad to hear the demise of Shri Bishan Singh Bedi. Indian Cricket has lost an icon today. Bedi Sir defined an era of cricket and he left an indelible mark on the game with his artistry as a spin bowler and his impeccable character. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, said in his statement.
Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also paid his tribute to Bishan Singh Bedi recalling the times when he was the coach of Punjab Ranji team. "Former captain of the Indian cricket team, Bishan Singh Bedi is no more with us. It is a very sad news. We stand with his family. When I used to play for Punjab, he was the coach of our Ranji Trophy team. It is a big loss to the cricket world," he said.
