Bishan Bedi, former captain of India and one of many best spin bowlers, has died aged 77.
A gradual left-armer with an armoury of variations, Bedi featured in 67 Tests between 1967 and 1979, claiming 266 wickets at a median of 28.71. At the time of his retirement, he was India’s main wicket-taker.
A Sikh from the Punjab, who bowled in a patka, Bedi was a recognisable and outspoken determine.
He was instrumental in a spin quartet additionally comprising leg-spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar and off-break bowlers Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Erapalli Prasanna that helped India’s rise within the Nineteen Sixties and Seventies.
His finest Test bowling figures had been in opposition to Australia, 7-98 in an innings at Calcutta in 1969-70, and 10-194 within the match at Perth in 1977-78.
Bedi represented Northamptonshire in England and his whole of 1,560 first-class wickets is probably the most by any Indian bowler.
Bedi led his nation in 22 Tests, successful six occasions, between 1975 and 1979. He was captain when India grew to become the primary crew to come across the West Indies’ four-man tempo assault that may dominate cricket underneath Clive Lloyd and protested in opposition to “intimidatory bowling”.
After three batsmen had been injured on a poor wicket within the 1976 Kingston Test he declared the primary innings at six down and was one among 5 batsmen ‘absent harm’ within the second as West Indies gained the Test and collection.
He additionally conceded an ODI, in opposition to Pakistan in Sahiwal in 1978, after Sarfraz Nawaz had been allowed to bowl 4 successive bouncers with India requiring 23 runs from 14 balls with eight wickets in hand.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, saying on X: “Deeply saddened by the passing of noted cricketer Shri Bishan Singh Bedi Ji.
“His ardour for the game was unwavering and his exemplary bowling performances led India to quite a few memorable victories.
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin added: “Sad to hear about the demise of the great Bishen Singh Bedi, apart from being a great cricketer, he was an affable person and went the extra mile to help young cricketers.”
Bedi had underwent a number of surgical procedures over the past two years together with a knee operation a month in the past. He is survived by his spouse and two kids.
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Source: www.perthnow.com.au
