Neha Bedi - The Sardar of Spin: A Celebration of the Life and Art of Bishan Singh Bedi

To chronicle the 19-season first-class cricket career of Bishan Singh Bedi and trace the evolution of this monumental cricketer from his humble background to scaling the heights of glory on cricket fields all over the world is a challenge that at the very least, is daunting.

When it comes to Bishan, there is no grey. It is either black or white. This is what Indias greatest all-rounder, and cricketer of the century, Kapil Dev says. As Mike Brearley the former England captain, stressed, Bishan was no diplomat. Hes been a man unafraid to speak his mind, even if at times it bordered on the intemperate.

It was his bowling that mesmerized batsmen and seemingly lured them to their doom. His methods were unique and he copped his share of criticism, but his technique and delivery were faultless.

Bishan Singh Bedi is the proverbial enigma wrapped in a mystery as a cricketer and a human being. This book, to commemorate his 75th birthday, is an effort to separate the chaff from the grain; and try and spread the flavour and spice of a unique talent.

OTHER LOTUS TITLES

FORTHCOMING TITLE

ROLI BOOKS

This digital edition published in 2021

First published in 2021 by

The Lotus Collection

An Imprint of Roli Books Pvt. Ltd

M-75, Greater Kailash- II Market

New Delhi 110 048

Phone: ++91 (011) 40682000

Email: info@rolibooks.com

Website: www.rolibooks.com

For individual essays rests with their respective authors, 2021

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, print reproduction, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Roli Books. Any unauthorized distribution of this e-book may be considered a direct infringement of copyright and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

Photographs Courtesy: Kamal Julka, Dr. Narottam Puri, Personal collection of Bishan Singh Bedi, V. Ramnarayan, Venkat Sundaram, Ashish Rane and Rajdeep Sardesai.

Cover image: Bishan Singh Bedi at the Lords Cricket Ground during the Indian teams tour of England in 1967. Alamy

Cover Design: Gavin Morris

eISBN: 978-81-952566-2-4

All rights reserved.

This e-book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated, without the publishers prior consent, in any form or cover other than that in which it is published.

KAPIL DEV

When I was asked to write a Foreword on the book to celebrate Bishan Singh Bedis cricket and life, I wondered what could I write? How can I pen my thoughts on someone who is larger than life? On someone who was my first captain. He has been a huge influence. I can write so much on Bishan paaji. Can speak endlessly on him. But would that capture the personality of the man whose essence to cricket and life is worthy of a case study?

Indian cricket has seen many great personalities. I was fascinated by GRV (Viswanath). I came to know Sunny (Gavaskar). Played with Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin. But there was no one like Bishan paaji. I cant do justice writing about such a large-hearted man who believed in living life with a very positive attitude. To know Bishan paaji was like knowing all the good things of life and cricket.

I am often asked who were the seniors I admired. There were many. But Bishan paaji topped the list for his amazing quality of teaching. He did not hold himself back if he saw injustice. He had a strong opinion and stuck to it. Of course, he was not the one to hurt people but it also did not mean that he would compromise with his views. If he took a stand, it was based on certain beliefs and principles that marked his game.