Keeping an eye on a young Kapil Dev, later Sachin Tendulkar or Kumble, Bedi was always invested in cricket.
October 25, 2023 12:08 am | Updated 11:58 am IST
Spinning a chat: Bedi with Chandrasekhar, Venkatraghavan and Prasanna.
| Photo Credit: THE HINDU ARCHIVES
To be in the presence of Bishan Singh Bedi is to know what warm affection is, what righteous anger could be and to also recognise that sport is part of a larger life. The iconic left-arm spinner, who breathed his last in Delhi on Monday, was not just a cricketer, he had other shades too that ranged from philosopher to being a sharp observer of the nation’s politics.
As a great left-arm spinner, he gently lured batters to their doom and his words always had the depth of a life well lived and the world acutely observed.
In his 77 summers, with the prime years dedicated to cricket, as a player, coach, administrator and observer, Bedi gained immense stature. He had a larger-than-life presence, a laugh that reverberated from his belly before emerging from his mouth and black-humour was always a constant accompaniment.
In Pictures | Bishan Singh Bedi (1946-2023)
Bishan Singh Bedi and Kapil Dev during the 2nd Test Match between England and India at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, 4th August 1979. The match ended in a draw.
Bishan Singh Bedi bowling for India at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, on August 4, 1979.
Bishan Singh Bedi smiles as Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain shakes his hand before the start of play in 1971.
An appeal for leg before wicket (lbw) against Bob Simpson of Australia off the bowling of Bishen Singh Bedi is successfull during a Test at Sydney, Australia, on January 7, 1978. India won the match.
Bobby Simpson pours champagne for Indian captain Bishan Singh Bedi after finish of a Test match between India and Australia at Sydney, Australia in 1978. India won the match.
The turbaned Bedi of the touring India cricket team, punishes the West Indies attack in a Test match in Gerogetown, Guyana on March 23, 1971. The game ended in a draw.
Bishan Singh Bedi displays the techniques of holding the ball and spin bowling to the students at a cricket clinic at Jamia Millia College in New Delhi in 1998.
Former Indian cricket player EAS Prasanna demonstrates the art of spin to Sunil Joshi being watched by Bishan Singh Bedi at Bangalore in 2000.
Australian spinner Jason Krejza talks to Bishan Singh Bedi during a practice session in New Delhi, India, on Oct. 26, 2008.
Bishan Singh Bedi with Virat Kohli in New Delhi in 2017
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Part of the famous spin-quartet, he was the first among equals despite the generous manner in which he always gave credit to Erapalli Prasanna, B.S. Chandrasekhar and S. Venkataraghavan. His numbers — 266 Test wickets and 1560 First Class scalps — are staggering.
An action that was easy on the eye and one that held many unfathomable secrets for befuddled rivals, followed by a twinkle in his eye and the propensity to guffaw remained the eternal blend of a fine professional soaked in the amateur spirit.
Playing for India or plying his trade in English Counties, Bedi found eternal friendships. One such was with Pakistan’s Intikhab Alam, now a distraught friend struggling with grief. Bedi remained a man of the world and knowledge had to be shared, be it with Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, Monty Panesar or Sunil Joshi. Not for Bedi the rigid boundaries of hyper-nationalism or regionalism.
Bedi could be affectionate and abrasive, he held no punches back but he cared deeply.
Keeping an eye on a young Kapil Dev, later Sachin Tendulkar or Kumble, Bedi was always invested in cricket.
“Hello young man,” would be his hearty greeting before a pithy observation, about a match in progress or a world in crisis, emerged. Much like the great Michael Holding, Bedi had a wide perspective.
He never believed in monopolies and preferred nuance. Ever the contrarian with a good heart, Bedi spoke his mind about the BCCI or the local Delhi District Cricket Association. Not for him the dull word or the mask of political-correctness. His departure leaves the world poorer.
