Sports minister Anurag Thakur said Monday that Indian cricketing legend and spin great Bishan Singh Bedi had passed away at the age of 77. Thakur described Bedi’s passing as a “huge loss” for cricket.
Thakur, a former head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, told reporters, “Bishan Singh Bedi, former captain of the Indian Cricket team, a bowler who was always remembered by the nation, is no more.”
“It’s tragic news and a major blow to cricket. The cricketing community at large is mourning with his loved ones.
Bishan, who played for India between 1967 and 1979 and was a member of the legendary spin quartet that also included Erapalli Prasanna and Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, took 266 wickets in 67 Tests.
During his time with India’s national team, left-arm spinner Bedi appeared in 10 one-day internationals.
Bedi was known for his frank criticism of his colleagues, fellow players, and the sport’s ineffective administration.
He wore a large turban and a broad grin, and he used to frequently attend cricket matches in New Delhi, but his health has been deteriorating over the past few years.
Bedi’s two wives have provided him with four children: two sons and two daughters from each union.
Angad, his younger son, married the former Miss India and current actress and model Neha Dhupia.
The death of former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam was described as “sad” by the man himself.
“I had a very cordial and friendly relationship with him, he was a great spinner and human being” , Alam said the news agency.
“It’s a great loss for cricket in general and Indo-Pak cricket in particular.”