Bishan Singh Bedi passes away: 'One of our best', 'moral beacon for all' and more tributes

Former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi passed away on Monday (23 October). He was 77 years old and breathed his last at home in Delhi.

Bedi played 67 Tests for India between 1967 and 1979 and took 266 wickets in his illustrious career. He also took seven wickets from 10 50-over matches.

Bedi was one India’s iconic spin bowling combination that also featured BS Chandrasekhar and S Venkataraghavan. He played a clinical role in this troika. He was central to India’s first ODI win when he registered figures of 12-8-6-1 to restrict East Africa to 120 in a 1975 World Cup match.

The Amritsar-born spinner played Ranji Trophy cricket for Delhi. He was the leading wicket-taker among Indians in First-Class cricket with a jaw-dropping 1,560 wickets in 370 matches.

The spinner also steered Delhi to their first two Ranji Trophy titles – in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Delhi also finished runners-up twice under his captaincy. All four finals came in a span of five years.

As tributes poured in on his passing, former India seamer Irfan Pathan wrote: “Bishan Singh bedi One of our best is no more. It’s a loss to our cricketing fraternity. My deep condolences to his family.”

Historian Ramachandra Guha posted: “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bishan Singh Bedi. He was a great cricketer and an even greater human being. He was a moral beacon for all those who knew him.”

Rajdeep Sardesai, noted journalist and son of former India cricketer Dilip Sardesai, posted the confirmation of the saddening news. “I have very sad news to share: the legendary Bishen Bedi, arguably the greatest left arm spinner this country has produced, a larger than life sportsman who always fought the cricket board establishment for players rights, has passed away. Will be much missed. RIP.”

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

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bishan Singh Bedi. He was a great cricketer and an even greater human being. He was a moral beacon for all those who knew him.

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) October 23, 2023

Devastated to hear of the passing of the great Bishan Singh Bedi. To see him bowl was a privilege I will never forget.

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) October 23, 2023

I have very sad news to share: the legendary Bishen Bedi, arguably the greatest left arm spinner this country has produced, a larger than life sportsman who always fought the cricket board establishment for players rights, has passed away. Will be much missed. RIP. pic.twitter.com/CT8OPkD0mq

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) October 23, 2023

Current and former India cricketers and administrators paid their respects as well.

The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India Test Captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fans in these tough times.

May his soul rest in peace