Bishan Singh Bedi: Remembering the legend's top bowling spells

NEW DELHI: Bishan Singh Bedi's legacy will live on as India's spin-bowling legend passed away at the age of 77 on October 23.

Often referred to as 'poetry in motion' by cricket romantics, Bedi ruled the world along with his three partners -- Erapalli Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar and S Venkataraghavan -- who together formed the famous 'spin quartet' of India.



In 67 Tests, Bedi, who also captained India and then became the national coach in the late '90s, took 266 Test wickets. In first-class cricket, he amassed a sensational 1560 wickets in 370 matches.

Here's a look at some of his memorable Test spells:

7/98 vs Australia, 1969, Kolkata

In the fourth Test of the series at Eden Gardens, Bedi spelled his magic in Australia's first innings in which he bowled 50 overs to take his seven wickets, while Prasanna bowled 49 without a wicket. India, however, lost the match by 10 wickets. Bedi dismissed Ian Chappell for 99 in that innings.

6/42 vs New Zealand, 1969, Mumbai

The visiting New Zealand team suffered a 60-run defeat in the first Test of the series, with Bedi's six-wicket haul in the second innings playing the role of chief architect in India's victory. He combined with Prasanna, who dismissed four kiwi batsmen, to bowl out New Zealand for just 127.

6/71 vs England, 1977, Bengaluru

It was the fourth Test against England in the home series for India. Set a target of 318 to win, England succumbed to Bedi's guile as he took six wickets and the visitors were bowled out for 177 and lost the match by 140.


5/63 vs England, 1972, Kolkata

Bedi took a five-wicket haul at the Eden Gardens, while Chandrasekhar ended with figures of 4/42 to give India a famous victory over the Englishmen by 28 runs in the second Test of the series.