Former Indian cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi passed away at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness. Bishan Singh Bedi was a left-arm spinner who also led the Indian team in 22 matches. Bedi has played between 1967 to 1979, featuring for India in 67 Tests, taking 266 wickets as well. He also played for India in 10 ODIs, claiming a total of 7 wickets.

Popularly known as one of the finest spinners India have ever produced, Bedi played a key role in India’s spin-bowling revolution as well. He, along with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan, played crucial parts in India’s first-ever ODI victory. Bedi’s figures of 12-8-6-1 held East Africa to 120 runs in the 1975 World Cup as well.

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Cricketers, including former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, paid tribute to him as well. “Bishan singh bedi One of our best is no more. It’s a loss to our cricketing fraternity. My deep condolences to his family,” Irfan Pathan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Bishan singh bedi One of our best is no more. It’s a loss to our cricketing fraternity. My deep condolences to his family.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 23, 2023

In domestic cricket, Bishan Singh Bedi earlier used to play for the Delhi team. However, after retirement, he has worked as a coach and mentor for several budding Indian cricketers. Away from the cricketing field, he also worked as a commentator and cricket analyst as well. Often seen as a critic, Bedi was an outspoken character when sharing his thoughts about the game as well.

Bishan Singh Bedi was also the manager of the Indian cricket team in 1990 during tours of New Zealand and England. He was also a national selector and mentor to many talented players like Maninder Singh and Murali Kartik, who all shone with his technical insight.