Legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi paases away at 77.

Bishan Singh Bedi, the iconic Indian left-arm spinner and former captain, passed away at the age of 77 on Monday, October 23. He is survived by his wife Anju, son Angad (a renowned film actor), and daughter Neha. According to reports, he succumbed to a prolonged illness.

Born on September 25, 1946, in Amritsar, Bedi left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. He represented India in 67 Test matches between 1967 and 1979, amassing an impressive tally of 266 wickets at an average of 28.71. His bowling prowess was evident with 14 five-wicket hauls and a memorable 10-wicket match performance.

Though his One Day International (ODI) career was limited, with just 10 appearances, Bedi managed to claim seven wickets at an average of 48.57. While he wasn’t known for his batting abilities, he notably scored a half-century in a Test match against New Zealand in Kanpur in 1976.

Bedi’s contributions to Indian cricket extended beyond statistics. He played a significant role in India’s first-ever ODI victory. In a 1975 World Cup match, he bowled brilliantly, registering figures of 12-8-6-1 against East Africa, restricting them to 120 runs.

Bedi was celebrated for his classical bowling action, skillful use of flight and guile, and his ability to confound batters. He is widely recognized as one of the finest spinners to have graced the sport of cricket.

In addition to his international career, the former India captain represented Delhi in domestic cricket and boasted an outstanding first-class record. In a staggering 370 matches, he claimed 1560 wickets at an impressive average of 21.69, including 106 five-wicket hauls and 20 instances of a 10-wicket match haul. Bedi also made his mark in List-A cricket, capturing 71 wickets in 72 games, cementing his status as a true legend of the game.