Several well-known names from Delhi’s cricketing fraternity shared their thoughts on the passing of former India captain and legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi. Bishan Singh Bedi passed away on Monday, October 23 after a prolonged illness at the age of 77.
Former cricketer Gursharan Singh termed the legend a ‘Godfather’ and shared an interesting anecdote of his interaction with the left-arm spinner with News 18 CricketNext.
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“He was my Godfather. I will share a story with you. I was 15 or 16 years old and Bishan Singh Bedi Sir was the captain of the Indian team then. He had come for practice. That was the first time he saw me playing and as it is said the first impression is the last.
“Then when I went to West Indies in 1982-83, he was the selector and he backed me. Punjab won the Ranji Trophy in 1992-93 and I was the captain. It was due to just one man, Bishan Singh Bedi Sir. He showed a lot of belief in all of us. He used to motivate all the players. It’s a very, very sad news.”
Vinay Lamba who has been a part of the Delhi domestic circuit, also lauded the former India skipper for his helpful nature.
“There are plenty of memories. He was my first captain. We definitely had a very long innings, approximately 10 years. Besides being a bowler, he was a great personality, a great gentleman and very helpful to all his teammates. It’s really very, very sad that we have lost a legend.”
Meanwhile, Nikhil Chopra said that it was a piece of shocking and sad news to hear about the Spin Sardar’s demise.
Bishan Singh Bedi played a pivotal role in India’s first ODI win against East Africa in the 1975 World Cup as he bowled eight maidens off his 12 overs.
Also Read: Tributes Pour in for Legendary Spinner Bishan Singh Bedi on Social Media
Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma said that he contributed a lot to Indian cricket.
“It’s very sad news and I’m really shocked. He was such a lively guy and contributed a lot to Indian cricket. He will always be missed.”
Former Delhi cricket Bantoo Singh narrated a heartwarming story when Bishan Singh Bedi helped him and his father Dilbaug Singh, who was a cricketer and administrator as well.
“There are too many memories I have, I will share one memory that we will not be able to forget for life. During the 1984 riots, our home, shop everything was looted and he was the first man, after two days, when things calmed down a bit, to bring a bag of clothes. And on the front road of our house, he hugged my father and wept for five minutes,” Bantoo said.
“We can’t forget this memory for a lifetime. We had nothing left with us except what we were wearing. He was the first one to come with some clothes.”
“One more memory, in my daughter’s marriage, we were stuck in traffic, and he waited for two and a half hours at the Gurudwara. He waited for that long to attend that function. We are nothing in front of him,” he added.
“Apart from that, in cricket, what he taught us about the game and fitness, it was because of him that I was able to prolong my career. The way fitness has become important today, he used to tell us back then that your legs, and shoulders must be strong.”
“He was a true guru, a legend on and off the field,” expressed Bantoo.
Born in Amritsar in 1946, Bedi made his international debut against West Indies at the famous Eden Gardens in 1966. The late Indian cricketer represented India in 67 Tests and 10 ODIs.
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