Renowned Indian cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi, a left-arm spinner and former captain, has passed away at the age of 77 following an extended illness.

Bedi was a prominent figure in Indian cricket, representing the national team in 67 Tests and 10 ODIs between 1967 and 1979, claiming 266 Test wickets and 7 ODI wickets.

Alongside Erapalli Prasanna, B S Chandrasekhar, and S Venkataraghavan, he played a pivotal role in India’s spin bowling evolution.

Bedi’s remarkable career included captaining the Indian team in 22 matches, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

His contributions also extended to domestic cricket, primarily representing Delhi.

After retiring from active play, he transitioned into coaching and mentoring aspiring Indian cricketers. Bedi also ventured into commentary and analysis in the cricketing world.

Known for his candid opinions, Bedi was never one to hold back when expressing his views on cricket-related matters.

He briefly managed the Indian cricket team during tours of New Zealand and England in 1990, and also served as a national selector and mentor to emerging spin talents like Maninder Singh and Murali Kartik.

As reported by NDTV, the cricketing community, including former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, has paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary spinner, recognising his invaluable contributions to the sport.