Bishan Singh Bedi career in numbers: A look at former Indian spinner's cricketing career

Bishan Singh Bedi picked up 266 wickets in his 67 test matches.

A colorful Patka and a flighted left-arm spin were a usual sight for fans during team India’s test matches in the late 1970s and 1980s. A man from Amritsar made his way to Indian team in 1967 at the very young age of 20 to challenge the top-class batters around the world as well as the system he was coming in from. He was none other than Bishan Singh Bedi. Unfortunately, Bishan Singh Bedi took his last breath on Monday, 23rd October in Delhi at the age of 77.

Bishan Singh Bedi made his debut at the age of 20

Bishan Singh Bedi was born on September 25, 1946, in Amritsar. He was a challenger and an enforcer from the beginning. This shows in his cricketing numbers. After making his debut in 1967 against West Indies at Eden Garden in Kolkata, Bedi went on to play 67 test matches for team India till 1979. Bishan Singh picked up 266 wickets in his 12-year-long career and stood among the top wicket-takers in test cricket.

Left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi took cricket as his professional sport at the age of 13, and soon, in the next two years, he was drafted into Northern Punjab team in Ranji Trophy. Later, after making his debut in test cricket, Bishan moved to Delhi in 1968. In 1974–75 Ranji Trophy, Bishan Singh Bedi picked up a record 64 wickets in one season. Bishan Singh Bedi also represented Northamptonshire in English county.

Spin-quartet to dominate the world

Bishan Singh Bedi made a special quartet for team India in test cricket along with Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrashekhar, and S Venkatraghavan. These four went on to win several games as a dominating spin bowling attack. They all played test matches in England together, keeping pace bowlers out of the equation. Bishan Singh also played an impactful role as team India's captain. He was awarded leadership role in 1976 and went on to lead India in 22 test matches.

Team India won six out of those 22 test matches to keep his master Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's legacy going forward. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Ajit Wadekar and Bishan Singh Bedi have been credited with giving India teeth to bite in test cricket. The former Indian captain also stood up for his players and forced establishments in Indian cricket to provide better resources and facilities to the players while playing for India. Bishan Singh Bedi is also known as the most outspoken cricket player.

Just like his left-arm spin ability, he was known for his sense of humor. Bedi was one of the favorite figures in Indian cricket and was known as someone who spoke with honesty and did not mince his words. Bishan Singh Bedi ended his first-class career with 1560 wickets in 370 games. He ended his cricket career in 1979 at The Oval.