Former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi has died aged 77 on Monday. Bedi has been ill over two years now having undergone multiple medical procedures including a knee surgery about a month ago. He is survived by wife Anju and two children Neha and Angad.
“The BCC 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,” read an X post from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
In his career spanning 12 years between 1967 and 1979, Bedi became one of most celebrated Indian cricketers and played 67 Tests. Paired with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrsekhar and S Venkatarghavan, Bedi formed the the most potent spin quartet in the history of Indian cricket, one that revolutionised the art of spin bowling worldwide.
Bedi was conferred Padma Sree in 1970. He was prime for Delhi in Raji Trophy leading the team to back-to-back titles in 1978- 79 and 1980-81. In 1976 Bedi was appointed captain of Indian team succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. His inaugural win as captain was the 3 Test of 1976 against the formidable West Indies on Port o-of-Spain, which ushered India into world stage as a dominant team. Bedi later was replaced as captain by Sunil Gavaskar.
