New Delhi, India – Renowned Indian cricket legend Bishan Singh Bedi, a maestro of spin bowling, has sadly passed away at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness.

Bedi, celebrated for his craft in the game, represented India in 67 Test matches and 10 ODIs, achieving a remarkable total of 273 wickets throughout his illustrious career. Hailing from Amritsar, he donned the Delhi jersey in domestic cricket, where he amassed a staggering 1560 wickets from 370 matches, including 106 five-wicket hauls and 20 instances of ten-wicket hauls.

Making his Test debut in December 1967, Bedi went on to lead the Indian cricket team in 22 Tests, succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi as captain. He is credited with transforming the art of spin bowling, forming a formidable partnership with fellow spinners Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan.

Known for his expertise in flight and spin, Bedi consistently outsmarted batsmen with his tactical variations. Apart from his on-field exploits, he briefly managed the Indian cricket team during tours of New Zealand and England in 1990 and served as a national selector and mentor to emerging spin talents like Maninder Singh and Murali Kartik.

Bedi’s significant contribution extended to his role as the longest-serving captain of the Delhi Ranji team from 1974 to 1982, during which the team became a formidable force in Indian domestic cricket.

Bedi was also a prominent figure for his outspoken opinions on cricket-related matters, fearlessly critiquing high-profile cricketers and even raising questions about the legitimacy of Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action.

The cricketing world, including batting icon Sachin Tendulkar, deeply respected Bishan Singh Bedi for his coaching prowess. Tendulkar described him as ahead of his time in preparing players for matches, emphasizing the seriousness of nets sessions and his challenging approach, which contributed to the development of young talents.

Bishan Singh Bedi’s legacy as a cricketing legend and mentor will be remembered by generations of cricket enthusiasts.

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