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NEW DELHI — Bishan Bedi, the India cricket nice whose dazzling left-arm spin claimed 266 check wickets, has died. He was 77.
The dying of Bedi, who underwent a number of surgical procedures during the last two years that included a knee operation a month in the past, was confirmed by the Board of Management for Cricket in India on Monday.
“The BCCI mourns the unhappy demise of former India Take a look at Captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi,” the BCCI wrote on X, previously often known as Twitter. “Our ideas and prayers are together with his household and followers in these powerful instances. Might his soul relaxation in peace.”
Born in Amritsar on Sept. 25, 1946, Bedi was a part of the well-known Indian spin quartet with Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Srinivas Venkataraghavan within the Seventies.
Bedi earned his 266 wickets in 67 check matches, at a mean of 28.71, with finest innings figures of 7-98 and finest match figures of 10-194. His final check match was towards England on the Oval in 1979. On the time of his retirement, he was India’s main wicket-taker earlier than being overtaken by Kapil Dev a couple of years later. He averaged beneath 9 runs in checks as a right-handed batter however had a highest rating of fifty not out.
He performed solely 10 ODIs between 1974-79, choosing up seven wickets.
The orthodox spinner took 1,560 first-class wickets — probably the most by any Indian bowler ever — taking part in for numerous groups together with Delhi and Northern Punjab in India and Northamptonshire in England.
He’s survived by his spouse and two youngsters.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, saying on X: “His ardour for the game was unwavering and his exemplary bowling performances led India to quite a few memorable victories.
“He’ll proceed to encourage future generations of cricketers. Condolences to his household and admirers.”
Bedi made his check debut towards West Indies on the final day of 1966, and took 21 wickets in a house check sequence towards Australia on the finish of 1969. He stored on troubling main check taking part in nations earlier than ultimately succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan as India skipper in 1976. His first win as check captain got here at Port-of-Spain when India reached 406-4 in a historic chase. He led India 22 instances in whole, successful six of them.
Geoff Allardice, chief government of the Worldwide Cricket Council, mentioned Bedi was one of many masters of flight and switch.
“I wish to prolong heartfelt condolences from everybody on the ICC to the household of one of many greats of the sport and one whose exploits in check cricket will probably be remembered for a very long time,” Allardice mentioned. “He was the sort of spinner who may excel in numerous circumstances and would have been one of many greats in any period.”
Identified for carrying colourful patkas and a swish supply hiding devastating selection, Bedi was outspoken on the sector and infrequently acquired embroiled in controversies.
In 1976 he declared India’s second innings early at Kingston to protest hostile bowling by Caribbean quick bowlers. With three Indian batters already out of the sport after being hit by West Indies pacers, Bedi claimed there weren’t sufficient match gamers out there to come back out and bat. West Indies ultimately gained the check match by 10 wickets.
Bedi additionally criticized Sri Lanka spin nice Muttiah Muralitharan for his bowling motion. He refused to compete in Kerry Packer’s profitable World Sequence Cricket in 1978 and claimed that he was approached by the insurgent cricket league.
However his love for the sport was clear, even when on the receiving finish. Cricinfo.com web site mentioned Bedi “typically applauded batters after they hit him for six.”
