To be in the presence of Bishan Singh Bedi is to know what warm affection is, what righteous anger could be and to also recognise that sport is part of a larger life. The iconic left-arm spinner, who breathed his last in Delhi on Monday, was not just a cricketer, he had other shades too that ranged from philosopher to being a sharp observer of the nation’s politics.
As a great left-arm spinner, he gently lured batters to their doom and his words always had the depth of a life well lived and the world acutely observed.
In his 77 summers, with the prime years dedicated to cricket, as a player, coach, administrator and observer, Bedi gained immense stature. He had a larger-than-life presence, a laugh that reverberated from his belly before emerging from his mouth and black-humour was always a constant accompaniment.
Part of the famous spin-quartet, he was the first among equals despite the generous manner in which he always gave credit to Erapalli Prasanna, B.S. Chandrasekhar and S. Venkataraghavan. His numbers — 266 Test wickets and 1560 First Class scalps — are staggering.
An action that was easy on the eye and one that held many unfathomable secrets for befuddled rivals, followed by a twinkle in his eye and the propensity to guffaw remained the eternal blend of a fine professional soaked in the amateur spirit.
Playing for India or plying his trade in English Counties, Bedi found eternal friendships. One such was with Pakistan’s Intikhab Alam, now a distraught friend struggling with grief. Bedi remained a man of the world and knowledge had to be shared, be it with Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, Monty Panesar or Sunil Joshi. Not for Bedi the rigid boundaries of hyper-nationalism or regionalism.
Bedi could be affectionate and abrasive, he held no punches back but he cared deeply.
Keeping an eye on a young Kapil Dev, later Sachin Tendulkar or Kumble, Bedi was always invested in cricket.
“Hello young man,” would be his hearty greeting before a pithy observation, about a match in progress or a world in crisis, emerged. Much like the great Michael Holding, Bedi had a wide perspective.
He never believed in monopolies and preferred nuance. Ever the contrarian with a good heart, Bedi spoke his mind about the BCCI or the local Delhi District Cricket Association. Not for him the dull word or the mask of political-correctness. His departure leaves the world poorer.
