Bishan Singh Bedi, both as a cricketer and as an individual, can be distinguished as two separate personas.
On the cricketing front, the left-arm maestro was a master of guile, deception, and versatility. He bewildered some of the era’s finest batsmen and ultimately emerged as India’s top wicket-taker in Test matches. His prowess as a bowler set him apart.
However, in the realm of cricket administration and life in general, Bedi displayed a remarkable straightforwardness. He was unafraid to stand up for what he believed in. For instance, he boldly declared a Test innings as India’s captain in the West Indies to protest what he saw as intimidatory bowling after several of his teammates had been injured, ultimately leading to a loss in the game. He didn’t hesitate to forfeit an ODI in Pakistan in response to biased umpiring. Bedi also accused England’s left-arm pacer, John Lever, of using Vaseline to manipulate the ball during a tour of India. Additionally, he advocated vigorously for improved pay structures for cricketers, even when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held significant sway over the players. Bedi’s actions off the field were as audacious as his skills on it.
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His candidness remained prominent even after his playing days, where he frequently engaged in disputes with the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) on various issues, including the controversial renaming of the Feroze Shah Kotla to the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bedi even went as far as to formally request the removal of his name from one of the stands.
This decision held significant weight, especially considering that Bedi played a pivotal role in transforming Delhi into a formidable team in domestic cricket during the 1960s and 70s, challenging Bombay, the perennial Ranji Trophy champions. Matches between these two sides, often occurring in the semifinals or finals, showcased cricket of nearly Test standard. Many Delhi players who later represented the country considered Bedi their mentor.
Bedi also consistently maintained his stance on Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling action, firmly deeming it illegal, despite Murali’s remarkable achievement of claiming 800 wickets in Tests. Bedi famously expressed, “If Murali doesn’t chuck, then show me how to bowl.”
The ‘Sardar of Spin’ had a natural aptitude for speaking his mind, and this characteristic remained with him until his recent passing. However, his spin-bowling abilities were equally remarkable. Bedi exhibited exceptional control over the ball, often giving the impression that he could manipulate its trajectory and length at will. Batsmen frequently misjudged his generously-flighted deliveries, attempting big shots only to realize that the ball wasn’t where they expected it to be.
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Alternatively, they would revert to a delivery they anticipated would offer them the opportunity for an attacking shot, only to see the ball sharply turn in and target the pads or the stumps.
A Man of Unwavering Principles His commitment to the principles he held dear was unwavering to the point of resoluteness. Bedi never compromised on flight, even when his captains might have preferred a more cautious approach based on the match’s context. This commitment was a reflection of his aggressive style of play, where he was always on the hunt for wickets, a quality he demonstrated throughout his 22-Test tenure as India’s captain.
The famous Indian spin quartet comprising Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, and Srinivas Venkataraghavan may not have secured numerous victories for India if one solely gauges their success by the scorecard. However, they left an indelible mark on the cricketing world and instilled a sense of pride in a young nation aspiring to excel in a sport with colonial origins.
Some of the greatest names in cricket history, like Donald Bradman and Garfield Sobers, have showered praise on Bedi’s sublime cricketing abilities.
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It was a true aficionado’s delight – the way he seamlessly transitioned from his unhurried run-up (some might even call it a leisurely amble) to the crease, all the while conjuring an enchanting blend of flight, loop, spin, and pace, with a deceptive lack of any discernible change in his action. His bowling exuded both confidence and magnanimity. If a batsman displayed quick footwork or skill, managing to send the ball soaring for a six, Bedi would be the first to offer applause for the shot.
Bedi had a reputation as a demanding taskmaster, which might be a contributing factor to the brevity of his tenure as India’s head coach. During a tour of New Zealand in 1990, it’s said he even made a somewhat colorful threat of tossing the entire team into the sea following a loss in a relatively low-scoring tri-series ODI against Australia.
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He consistently displayed a lack of enthusiasm for the Indian Premier League, which is arguably the most significant annual event in the cricketing world. This staunch advocate of traditional values simply couldn’t endorse the idea of players being treated as commodities, sold to the highest bidder, akin to horses.