India spin great Bedi dies

NEW DELHI, Oct 23 (AFP): Indian cricketing hero and spin great Bishan Singh Bedi has died aged 77, sports minister Anurag Thakur said Monday, calling it a "huge loss" to the sport.
"Former captain of the Indian cricket team, a bowler who was always remembered by the nation, Bishan Singh Bedi, is no more," Thakur, who is also the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told reporters.
"It's a deeply sad news and a huge loss for cricket. The whole of cricket world stands with his family in this hour of grief."
Bedi, who was part of the famous spin quartet of Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, claimed 266 wickets in 67 Tests in an illustrious international career between 1967 and 1979. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply saddened" by Bedi's death.
"His passion for the sport was unwavering and his exemplary bowling performances led India to numerous memorable victories," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
"He will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers," Modi added.
Bedi, a left-arm spinner, also played 10 one-day internationals for India between 1974-79.
Sachin Tendulkar recalled his time with Bedi, who was India coach when the batting great was finding his feet in international cricket.
"To Bishan Paaji (elder brother), I wasn't just another cricketer; I was like a son. Under his nurturing guidance, I scored my first 100 in England," Tendulkar wrote on X.
"On chilly NZ evenings, we'd sit over meals, and I'd hang on to every story he told, every piece of wisdom he shared. Today, there's an echoing silence where his voice used to be. The world seems a little emptier without you, Paaji."