Bishan Singh Bedi Biography 
Bishan Singh Bedi is a former cricketer of Indian team who bowled in a slow left-arm orthodox style. He played Test cricket for India from 1966 to 1979 and formed part of the famous Indian spin quartet. He has also led Indian cricket team as a captain for 22 test matches, succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. His test debut happened in 31 December 1966 against West Indies and the last match was played against England on 30 August 1979. He has also played 10 ODI matches for the country. Currently Bedi holds the record of 1560 wickets in first-class cricket, highest by any Indian bowler. He also holds the world record for the most economical bowling figures in a 60-over ODI match. He made the bowling figures of 12-8-6-1 against East Africa in 1975 World cup.
Bedi was born on 25 September 1946 in Punjab. He started playing domestic cricket at the age of 15. He moved to Delhi in 1969. In the 1974–75 season of the Ranji Trophy, he took a record 64 wickets. He has also represented Northamptonshire in English county cricket for many years. His bowling skills are explained as graceful, even beautiful, and full of guile and artistry.
His best Test bowling was 7/98 against Australia at Calcutta in 1969–70. He has scored 10 wickets in a match once and throughout his test career, taken 266 wickets at a bowling average of 28.71. It also includes 14 5-wickets. Though he is not known for his batting skills, however he managed to take a half century where he stood not out at an individual score of 50.
He became Indian captain in 1976 succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. His first victory as a captain was against the giant team of cricket then – West Indies, where his team won in the third match at Port-of-Spain. This match is also remembered for India’s record runs in the fourth innings of 406. In November 1978, he became the first captain to concede an international cricket match. The match was against Pakistan. He was also a cricketer with controversies and known for powerful criticisms. His criticism on the bowling action of Muttiah Muralitharan is the best instance.
Published: N/A
Updated: October 29, 2013
