Bishan Singh Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi was born on September 25, 1946, in Amritsar, Punjab. Possessing an action of effortless poetic beauty, Bedi made his Test debut for India against the West Indies in 1966. Alongside E.A.S. Prasanna, B.S. Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan, Bedi formed the celebrated Indian 'Spin Quartet' that orchestrated India’s first historic Test series victories in England and the West Indies in 1971.

Bedi captained India in 22 Tests, leading the nation to memorable victories including a world-record 406-run fourth-innings chase against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1976. During the 1975 Cricket World Cup, his spell of 12 overs, 8 maidens, 1 wicket for just 6 runs against East Africa remains the most economical bowling analysis in 60-over ODI history. Over his first-class career, Bedi amassed an astonishing 1,560 wickets—the highest tally by any Indian bowler.

Off the field, Bedi was celebrated as cricket’s uncompromising moral conscience, famously protesting bowling irregularities, protecting player safety, and fearlessly speaking truth to administrators. He passed away on October 23, 2023, mourned worldwide as a gentleman of peerless art and sportsmanship.