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Bishan Singh Bedi

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Bishan Singh Bedi
Major Ahluwalia with Mr. Bishan Singh Bedi.jpg
Personal information
Born(1946-09-25)25 September 1946
Amritsar, Punjab Province, British India
Died23 October 2023(2023-10-23) (aged 77)
New Delhi, NCT of Delhi, India
NicknameBishu
BattingRight-handed
BowlingSlow left-arm orthodox
RoleBowler
Relations
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 113)31 December 1966 v West Indies
Last Test30 August 1979 v England
ODI debut (cap 2)13 July 1974 v England
Last ODI16 June 1979 v Sri Lanka
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1961–1967Northern Punjab
1968–1981Delhi
1972–1977Northamptonshire
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 67 10 370 72
Runs scored 656 31 3,584 218
Batting average 8.98 6.20 11.37 6.81
100s/50s 0/1 0/0 0/7 0/0
Top score 50* 13 61 24*
Balls bowled 21,364 590 90,315 3,686
Wickets 266 7 1,560 71
Bowling average 28.71 48.57 21.69 29.39
5 wickets in innings 14 0 106 1
10 wickets in match 1 0 20 0
Best bowling 7/98 2/44 7/5 5/30
Catches/stumpings 26/– 4/– 172/– 21/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 9 November 2014

Bishan Singh Bedi (25 September 1946 – 23 October 2023) was an Indian cricketer who was primarily a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He played Test cricket for India from 1966 to 1979 and formed part of the famous Indian spin quartet, and he is arguably the greatest spin bowler to have ever played the game. He played a total of 67 Tests and took 266 wickets. He also captained the national side in 22 Test matches. Bedi wore a colourful patka[1] and was always known for his outspoken and forthright views on cricketing matters. He was awarded the Padma Shri award in 1970 and the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

Playing career

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In Indian domestic cricket, Bedi first played for Northern Punjab when only fifteen, having taken up cricket only two years previously, a particularly late age for this sport.[2] He moved to Delhi in 1968–69 and in the 1974–75 season of the Ranji Trophy, he took a record 64 wickets.[3] Bedi also represented Northamptonshire in English county cricket for many years. He finished his career with 1560 wickets in first-class cricket — more than any other Indian cricketer.[4]

His bowling has been described as graceful, even beautiful, and full of guile and artistry.[5] He was an expert in flighting the ball, and was capable of making it hold back or hurry forward and added subtle variations of spin. His action was so relaxed and coordinated that he was able to bowl all day with rhythm and control, a great asset to any captain. He had several very successful Test series:[6]

His best Test bowling was 7/98 against Australia at Calcutta in 1969–70, and his best match figures 10/194 at Perth in 1977–78, also against Australia.[6] His best first class bowling was 7/5 for Delhi vs Jammu and Kashmir at New Delhi 1974–75.[6] Although his batting was poor he hit a boundary off the second last ball in the Gillette Cup Semi Final for Northamptonshire vs Hampshire, winning the match by two wickets.[6] His highest score of 50 not out, his only half century at Test level, was scored against New Zealand in Kanpur in 1976.[13]

Bedi was appointed captain of India in 1976, succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. His first Test victory as captain was against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in the 3rd Test of the 1976 series in which India scored a then-record 406 in the fourth innings.[14] This was followed up by a 2–0 series victory over New Zealand at home. However, after successive Test series losses to England (3–1 at home), Australia (3–2 away) and Pakistan (2–0 away), he was replaced as captain by Sunil Gavaskar in 1979.[15]

Bedi is second to Lance Gibbs in terms of maiden overs per test, 16.35 against 16.62.[3][16] He bowled 4.2 maiden overs per wicket as against 4.24 by Gibbs.[17]

In 2008, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack named Bedi as one of the five best cricketers to have not been selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year.[18]

Controversies

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As captain of India, Bedi was involved in some controversies. Following India's record-breaking run-chase in the 3rd Test of the 1976 series against the West Indies, the West Indies opted for an aggressive four-man fast bowler attack for the 4th Test. Bedi objected to their tactics of bowling beamers because they could not get Indian batsmen out, and declared the Indian first innings closed early after two players were forced to retire hurt. Subsequently, five players were absent hurt in the second innings of the match.[19]

In England's tour of India in 1976–77 he accused John Lever of using Vaseline to illegally polish the ball in the Third Test at Madras. Lever wore Vaseline strips on his forehead to keep the sweat out of his eyes; he was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.[6][20]

In November 1978, he became the first captain to concede an international cricket match. In a One Day International against Pakistan at Sahiwal (Pakistan), India with 8 wickets in hand, required 23 runs from 14 balls. Bedi, however, recalled the batsmen from the crease and conceded the match in protest at the bowling of Sarfraz Nawaz who had bowled 4 bouncers in succession with not one being called wide by the umpires.[21]

Coaching

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In 1990, after he had managed a tour where India had played poorly, he threatened to dump the entire team in the sea on the return journey.[22]

Opinions on modern-day cricket

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See also: Throwing (cricket)

Bedi expressed strong opinions on many aspects of modern-day cricket and was described as "being jealous of modern-day great spinners".[23] In particular, he was a vehement critic of the bowling action of Muttiah Muralitharan ("if Murali doesn't chuck, then show me how to bowl"[24]) which he bluntly referred to as cheating and likened to a javelin throw[25] and shot putting, saying that Muralitharan would "complete 1000 Test wickets but they would count as mere run-outs in my eyes".[26] He took a very dim view of chucking, which he called "a bigger threat than bribing and betting"[24] and claimed in 2004 that many bowlers on the subcontinent chuck, calling Muralitharan a "Sri Lankan bandit closing in on a dream artist called Shane Warne".[27] He had stated, though, that he has nothing personal against Muralitharan,[28] although Muralitharan had threatened to sue him.[29] He levelled the same criticisms against his countryman Harbhajan Singh.[30] Regarding suspect actions in cricket, he said "When a bowler is chucking, he's referred to panels and the home cricket board. Why not do the same for a wide or no-ball, then?".[23] He had accused one-day cricket, modern cricket bats and small grounds of causing a decline in classical spin bowling in India.[24]

Bedi also attacked Sunil Gavaskar, calling him "a destructive influence".[31] He said to Australian coach John Buchanan "Tell us, John, have you made this Australian team great, or have they made you?"[32]

Personal life and death

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Bedi was born on 25 September 1946, in Amritsar in then British India.[33]

His son Angad Bedi (born 1983) is an Indian actor and former model, and his daughter-in-law Neha Dhupia is a well known Bollywood actress.[34]

He said that he had always washed his own clothes, calling it "the best exercise for your shoulders and fingers", when pointing out that spin bowling requires suppleness of limbs.[24]

Bedi died in New Delhi on 23 October 2023, at the age of 77.[35]

Records

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Bedi held the world record for the most economical bowling figures in a 60-over ODI match amongst the bowlers who had completed their quota of overs (12 overs). In the 1975 World Cup, when the bowlers were allowed to deliver 12 overs, Bedi finished with 12–8–6–1 (overs-maidens-runs-wickets) against East Africa at Headingley.[36]

Accolades

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Bedi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1970.[37]

In 2004, Bedi, along with Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Srinivas Venkatraghavan and Erapalli Prasanna, collectively known as the Indian spin quartet, were named as winners of the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.[38]

References

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  1. ^ Memon, Ayaz (23 October 2023). "Bedi was a conscience keeper that the game badly needed". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ Trevor Bailey, Richie Benaud, Colin Cowdrey and Jim Laker, The Lord's Taverners Fifty Greatest, Heinemann-Quixote, 1983
  3. ^ a b Ahuja, Aditya (24 October 2023). "Behind the scenes: Untold stories of Bishan Singh Bedi's legacy". ddnews.gov.in. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Bishan Bedi, India cricket great who claimed 266 test wickets with dazzling spin, dies at 77". Associated Press. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  5. ^ D.J. Rutnagur, The Barclays World of Cricket, Willow Books 1986
  6. ^ a b c d e Peter Arnold, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Cricket, WH Smith 1985
  7. ^ "India v Australia 1969/70". BBC. 20 February 2001. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  8. ^ "England tour of India 1972/73 – Cricket Scores, Match Schedules, Points, News, Results .com". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  9. ^ "India tour of West Indies 1975/76 – Cricket Scores, Match Schedules, Points, News, Results .com". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  10. ^ "New Zealand tour of India 1976/77 – Cricket Scores, Match Schedules, Points, News, Results .com". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  11. ^ "England tour of India 1976/77 – Cricket Scores, Match Schedules, Points, News, Results .com". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  12. ^ "India tour of Australia 1977/78, Statistics". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Full Scorecard of India vs New Zealand 2nd Test 1976 – Score Report .com". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Full Scorecard of West Indies vs India 3rd Test 1976 – Score Report .com". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  15. ^ Baparnash, Tridib (23 October 2023). "Bishan Singh Bedi — a born leader, one who played by his own rules". The Statesman. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Bishan Singh Bedi: 5 Lesser-Known Facts About Legendary Indian Spinner". NDTV Sports. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  17. ^ George, Dhruv (21 September 2017). "Best Left Arm Spinners of All Time". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  18. ^ Scyld, Berry (18 March 2009). "Never a cricketer of the year". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  19. ^ "4th Test: West Indies v India at Kingston, 21–25 April 1976". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  20. ^ "The Vaseline affair". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Full Scorecard of Pakistan vs India 3rd ODI 1978 – Score Report .com". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Bishan Bedi". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  23. ^ a b Vasu, Anand (11 April 2002). "Bishan Bedi's deadly straight delivery". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  24. ^ a b c d "Chucking is a bigger threat than bribing or betting". ESPNcricinfo. February 2002. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  25. ^ "Chucking is a bigger threat than bribing or betting". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
  26. ^ "Murali considers legal action after Bedi jibe". ESPNcricinfo. 14 August 2007. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Home boys, Sheikhs and chucking". ESPNcricinfo. 20 March 2004. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  28. ^ "'I have nothing personal against Murali' – Bedi". ESPNcricinfo. 7 June 2004. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  29. ^ "Murali threatens to sue Bedi". ESPNcricinfo. 7 June 2004. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  30. ^ Swanton, Will (2 December 2007). "Bedi points finger at Harbhajan". The Age. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Gavaskar a 'destructive' influence – Bishan Bedi". ESPNcricinfo. 17 June 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  32. ^ Bal, Sambit (4 November 2003). "The malaise of bitterness". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  33. ^ "Former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi passes away at 77". The Times of India. 23 October 2023. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  34. ^ "Angad Bedi, Neha Dhupia, Sharmila Tagore attend Bishan Singh Bedi's final prayer". Hindustan Times. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi passes away aged 77". Sportstar. 23 October 2023. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  36. ^ Lynch, Steven (5 March 2013). "Seven men bowled, and Yousuf's purple patch". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  37. ^ "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2014)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs (India). 21 May 2014. pp. 37–72. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2017.
  38. ^ "CK Nayudu award for spin quartet". m.tribuneindia.com. New Delhi, India: The Tribune. 11 August 2004. Retrieved 28 October 2023.

Sources

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Preceded by Indian National Test Cricket Captain
1975–76, 1978–79 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
—
 Indian National Cricket Manager
July 1990 – September 1991 		Succeeded by
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