Bishan Singh Bedi, born on September 25, 1946, and passing away on October 23, 2023, was a renowned former Indian cricketer distinguished for his skills as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. His illustrious career in Test cricket spanned from 1966 to 1979, during which he was a vital member of the famed Indian spin quartet. Bedi left an indelible mark in the cricketing world, participating in 67 Test matches and securing an impressive tally of 266 wickets. Furthermore, he had the honor of captaining the national team in 22 Test matches. Bedi was easily recognizable for his distinctive patka and was known for his candid and outspoken opinions on matters related to cricket. His contributions to the sport were acknowledged with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1970 and the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Bishan Singh Bedi Family- Son, Wife, Parents, Daughter-in-law
Bishan Singh Bedi was married to Anju Inderjit Singh. He tied the knot with her in late 1900s.
Angad Bedi, a popular actor is the son of Bishan Singh Bedi. Neha Dhupia is the daughter in law of the legendary Indian cricketer.
Mehr Dhupia is the grand daughter of Bishan Singh Bedi.
| Name | Relation |
| Anju Inderjit Singh | Wife |
| Angad Bedi | Son |
| Neha Dhupia | Daughter in law |
Bishan Singh Bedi Career
In Indian domestic cricket, Bedi made his debut for Northern Punjab at the age of fifteen, a relatively late start in the sport, considering he had only taken up cricket two years earlier. He later relocated to Delhi in the 1968–69 season, and during the 1974–75 Ranji Trophy, he achieved a remarkable feat by taking a record-breaking 64 wickets. Bedi also represented Northamptonshire in English county cricket over an extended period. He concluded his illustrious first-class cricket career with a total of 1560 wickets, a record unmatched by any other Indian cricketer.
Bedi’s bowling style was often described as graceful and beautiful, characterized by guile and artistry. He possessed the skill to flight the ball expertly, capable of making it either hold back or hurry forward, incorporating subtle variations of spin. His relaxed and coordinated bowling action allowed him to maintain rhythm and control throughout an entire day’s play, a valuable asset to any captain. He had several remarkable Test series performances, including:
- India vs Australia: 21 wickets with an average of 20.57
- India vs England: 25 wickets with an average of 25.28
- India in the West Indies: 18 wickets with an average of 25.33
- India vs New Zealand: 22 wickets with an average of 13.18
- India vs England: 25 wickets with an average of 22.96
- India in Australia: 31 wickets with an average of 23.87
His best Test bowling figures were 7/98 against Australia in Calcutta, and his best match figures were 10/194 in Perth, also against Australia. At the first-class level, his best bowling performance was 7/5 for Delhi against Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi. Although his batting skills were modest, he managed to hit a crucial boundary off the second-to-last ball in the Gillette Cup Semi Final for Northamptonshire against Hampshire, securing a two-wicket victory. His highest Test score, an unbeaten 50, was achieved against New Zealand in Kanpur.
Bedi assumed the role of India’s captain in 1976, succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. He secured his first Test victory as captain against the West Indies, during which India set a then-record score of 406 in the fourth innings. This success was followed by a 2–0 series victory over New Zealand at home. However, after a series of Test losses to England, Australia, and Pakistan, he was replaced as captain by Sunil Gavaskar.
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Bedi ranks second to Lance Gibbs in terms of maiden overs bowled per Test, with 16.35 compared to Gibbs’ 16.62. He delivered 4.2 maiden overs per wicket, slightly ahead of Gibbs’ 4.24.
In 2008, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack recognized Bedi as one of the top five cricketers who had not been selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year, highlighting his exceptional contributions to the sport.
Bedi also emphasized the importance of washing his own clothes, describing it as “the best exercise for your shoulders and fingers.” He pointed out that spin bowling demands suppleness in the limbs, and this simple act helped him maintain fitness and flexibility.