00:00 [Music]
00:06 Sad news coming in, former Indian cricket captain and legendary spinner
00:10 Vishen Singh Bedi has passed away at the age of 77.
00:14 Vishen Singh Bedi was born on September 25th, 1946 in Amritsar
00:19 and he played a crucial role in shaping the history of Indian spin bowling.
00:24 As we all know, Vishen Singh Bedi, not just an eminent player
00:28 but also a commentator, his views on cricket and the man who used to call a spade a spade
00:34 quite frank when it came to his expression of opinions
00:39 and his illustrious international career spanning from 1966 to 1979
00:46 needs no introduction, the kind of spin attack introduced into the Indian armory
00:50 was something that not many had seen by that time.
00:54 He did almost 67 tests and 10 one-day internationals securing 266 wickets
01:00 in Test cricket at an average of 28.71 with 14 five-wicket hauls.
01:07 70 wickets he took as a five-wicket haul.
01:11 This is the hallmark that speaks volumes about the man Vishen Singh Bedi.
01:17 What a figure here, 67 tests, 10 one-day internationals playing during 1966 to 1979,
01:25 those 13 years that he played.
01:29 Vishen Singh Bedi, he was known for his left arm orthodox spin,
01:34 obviously contributed significantly to India's cricketing legacy.
01:38 A key figure in the historic 1971 series victory against England,
01:43 captaining the team in the absence of injured Ajit Wadekar.
01:47 Beyond his leadership in the field, Bedi had a distinguished domestic career also,
01:51 particularly with the Delhi team and especially in the Delhi circles also.
01:55 Vishen Singh Bedi, a very known name, and his contribution even after his retirement
02:02 remains immense. We have seen the lives of say Harbhajan Singh,
02:07 father and father-in-law Anil Kumle too, who I'm sure must have taken inspiration
02:13 from Vishen Singh Bedi, a man who became almost synonymous, not just almost,
02:17 but he was actually synonymous with spin magic and later on in the cricketing history
02:25 of India, the spinners that we saw obviously had Vishen Singh Bedi as one of their role models.
02:30 Vishen's impact extended beyond his playing days as he became a respected commentator also
02:37 and an advocate for fair play and sportsmanship.
02:40 And Vishen Singh remained an outspoken voice in the cricketing world,
02:45 sharing his views on various cricketing matters, his commitment to the sport,
02:49 obviously his role in nurturing young talent in India were the hallmarks of the legacy
02:56 that he leaves behind. Obviously, these are some of the few of the commitments
03:03 and contributions that he made to Indian cricket beyond what he did for the cricketing team
03:08 from 1966 to 1979, but beyond that also his role is immense.
03:14 You talk about spin, all those Delhi crickets that happened, kids are talking,
03:19 there is still a voice that would say, "Hey look, he goes like Vishen Singh Bedi.
03:25 Hey, do you want to be like Vishen Singh Bedi? He spins like Vishen Singh Bedi."
03:29 So all these things, we grew up listening to him, watching him and also listening to him,
03:37 basically his commentary, his inputs and that is something that leaves a lot of impact on you.
03:44 The former captain of the Indian team, who played for the country for a long time,
03:51 he passed away. Vishen Singh Bedi is no more with us. It is a sad news.
03:57 In this sad moment, we are with his family. And where I am standing, at Dharamshala Cricket Ground,
04:03 he had his camps here in the beginning and he used to live here in the ground,
04:09 in the stadium, among the players. And when I used to play for the Punjab team,
04:15 at that time, when we were the champions of Ranji Trophy, our coach was also Vishen Singh Bedi.
04:22 So I had a long experience with him, as a player and as a sports director.
04:27 And I will say this much, cricket world has suffered a big loss because of the passing of Vishen Singh Bedi.
04:33 Sir, you have also become a cricketer. How much more do you believe in the cricket world?
04:37 I believe that when great players are there, they are in the form of a player,
04:42 a sports director or a coach. They keep contributing somewhere.
04:47 In his life, he has seen a lot of ups and downs from Punjab to Delhi, from sports to sports director.
04:57 He has experienced everything. But I will say this, Vishen ji, he was a player.
05:06 He used to go to keep his word with a big smile.
05:10 We just got this sad news. He was a big name in the cricket world.
05:16 And he has given a big gift to the Indian cricket team.
05:21 He did a great job as a coach. After retirement, he also played many camps in our Dharamshala stadium.
05:31 He was in contact with the Punjab team, the Delhi team, the Himachal team.
05:35 I believe that he made a very big contribution. And the cricket world has suffered a big loss.
05:43 Vishen Singh Bedi actually underwent two surgeries also two weeks before his demise and had been hospitalized in Delhi.
05:52 He is survived by his son, Bollywood actor Angad Bedi, who is married to actress Neha Dhupia.
05:58 And the family is also in mourning and so is the whole cricketing fraternity and India especially.
06:05 An era, a spin era has passed as many would say.
06:10 But as far as the cricketing fraternity is concerned, Vishen Singh Bedi would definitely be remembered.
06:16 Not just only for his exceptional skills on the field, but also for his enduring impact on the development of Indian cricket.
06:25 His artistry, his mastery, his leadership and unwavering dedication to the sport leaves an indelible mark as far as the history of Indian cricket is concerned.
06:37 And needless to say, mourning, the nation mourns the loss of a true icon, Vishen Singh Bedi.
06:45 And passing away at the age of 77, he has left a huge, huge legacy behind for all those budding spinners, bowlers, sportsmen.
06:53 Vishen Singh Bedi, a man to reckon with.
06:56 September 25th, as I mentioned earlier, 1946, free independence, he was born in Amritsar.
07:02 And he carved a legendary career as a left arm, orthodox spin and former captain of Indian cricket team.
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07:13 update.
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