19 Facts About Bishen Bedi

1.

Bishan Singh Bedi is a former Indian cricketer who was primarily a slow left-arm orthodox bowler.

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2.

Bishen Bedi played Test cricket for India from 1966 to 1979 and formed part of the famous Indian spin quartet.

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3.

Bishen Bedi wore a colourful patka and has voiced outspoken and forthright views on cricketing matters.

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4.

In Indian domestic cricket, Bishen Bedi first played for Northern Punjab when only fifteen, having taken up cricket only two years previously, a particularly late age for this sport.

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5.

Bishen Bedi represented Northamptonshire in English county cricket for many years.

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6.

Bishen Bedi finished his career with 1560 wickets in first-class cricket—more than any other Indian.

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7.

Bishen Bedi's bowling has been described as graceful, even beautiful, and full of guile and artistry.

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8.

Bishen Bedi was an expert in flighting the ball, and was capable of making it hold it back or hurry forward and added subtle variations of spin.

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9.

Bishen Bedi's action was so relaxed and coordinated that he was able to bowl all day with rhythm and control, a great asset to any captain.

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10.

Bishen Bedi was appointed captain of India in 1976, succeeding Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

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11.

Bishen Bedi is second to Lance Gibbs in terms of maiden overs per test, 16.

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12.

Bishen Bedi said that he has always washed his own clothes, calling it "the best exercise for your shoulders and fingers", when pointing out that spin bowling requires suppleness of limbs.

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13.

Bishen Bedi objected to their tactics of bowling beamers because they couldn't get Indian batsmen out, and declared the Indian first innings closed early after two players were forced to retire hurt.

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14.

Bishen Bedi recalled the batsmen from the crease and conceded the match in protest at the bowling of Sarfraz Nawaz who had bowled 4 bouncers in succession with not one being called wide by the umpires.

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15.

Bishen Bedi has expressed strong opinions on many aspects of modern-day cricket and has been described as "being jealous of modern day great spinners".

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16.

Bishen Bedi takes a very dim view of chucking, which he calls "a bigger threat than bribing and betting" and claimed in 2004 that many bowlers on the subcontinent chuck, calling Muralitharan a "Sri Lankan bandit closing in on a dream artist called Shane Warne".

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17.

Bishen Bedi has stated, though, that he has nothing personal against Muralitharan, although Muralitharan has threatened to sue him.

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18.

Bishen Bedi has accused one-day cricket, modern cricket bats and small grounds of causing a decline in classical spin bowling in India.

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19.

Bishen Bedi has attacked Sunil Gavaskar, calling him "a destructive influence".

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