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Former Indian captain Bishan Singh Bedi, who played 67 Tests for the country, has sadly passed away at 77. He was supported by his son, Angad Bedi, and daughter-in-law, Neha Dhupia, during his final moments. Born on September 25, 1946, in Amritsar, Punjab, Bishan is celebrated as one of the best left-arm spinners India has ever produced, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of cricket.
The cricketing fraternity were left in shock when the news of him passing away broke the internet. Many former players who were mentored by Bishan Singh came forward to share their condolences for the passing of the legendary cricketer.
Former all-rounders Irfan Pathan and Suresh Raina spoke about the loss and said that the impact of Bishan Bedi on the sport was immeasurable.
"Deeply saddened by the passing of the cricket legend, Shri Bishan Singh Bedi Ji. His impact on the sport is immeasurable, and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time," said Raina on Twitter.
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Another former skipper Anil Kumble was sure that the cricketing fraternity would miss the legend dearly.
Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik called Bishan Singh a 'true ambassador of the sport,' while cricket expert Harsha Bhogle said that the day of his death was a 'very sad day for India and for cricket.'
"A genuine cricketing great, a proud Indian and a pure cricket lover moves on. The death of Bishan Bedi makes it a very sad day for India and for cricket. He was always encouraging and I will miss his easy laughter," Bhogle wrote on X.com (formerly Twitter).
Even BCCI secretary Jay Shah also took to x.com (formerly Twitter) to share his condolences for the former spinner. "Sad to hear the demise of Shri Bishan Singh Bedi. Indian Cricket has lost an icon today. Bedi Sir defined an era of cricket and he left an indelible mark on the game with his artistry as a spin bowler and his impeccable character. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time," he wrote.
Bedi, along with Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar and S Venkataraghavan, played a pivotal role in reshaping the narrative of spin bowling in India's cricketing history. He was a key figure in India's maiden ODI triumph as well, restricting East Africa to 120 with his impressive bowling stats of 12-8-6-1 during the 1975 World Cup.
Making his international debut in 1966, he served the Indian cricket team until 1979. Bedi was celebrated for his artistry in spin and flight, often bamboozling batters with his nuanced variations. His captaincy was crucial during India's landmark 1971 series win against England, stepping up in the absence of an injured Ajit Wadekar, further establishing India's stature in global cricket.
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