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Bishan Singh Bedi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth25 September 1946

Age77 (at time of death)

BirthplaceAmritsar, Punjab, British India

ProfessionCricketer (Bowler)

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseAnju Inderjit Bedi

FamilyChildren include son Angad Bedi and daughter Neha Bedi

Bishan Singh Bedi Biography

Bishan Singh Bedi was an influential Indian left-arm orthodox spinner, a member of India’s famed spin quartet, captain and coach, and a prominent figure in

Early life and background

Bishan Singh Bedi was born on 25 September 1946 in Amritsar, Punjab, then part of British India. He grew up in Amritsar, attended Saint Francis School and later graduated from Hindu College in Amritsar. As a boy he began playing cricket around the age of thirteen and developed into a graceful left-arm orthodox bowler known for flight and subtle variation.

Career

Bedi made his Test debut for India on 31 December 1966 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens. He went on to establish himself as a leading slow left-arm orthodox bowler through the late 1960s and 1970s, forming one corner of India’s celebrated spin quartet alongside Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar.

He claimed the distinction of being the first Indian to reach 200 Test wickets and finished with one of the most economical records among Indian bowlers with 100 or more Test wickets. His best Test innings figures were 7 for 98, recorded against Australia at Eden Gardens in December 1969. In ODIs, one of his most miserly performances came during the 1975 World Cup when he bowled 12 overs for six runs, including eight maidens, against East Africa in a match India won by ten wickets.

On the domestic front Bedi represented Northern Punjab early in his career before moving to Delhi, where he played from 1968 until his retirement in 1981. He also enjoyed several seasons in English county cricket for Northamptonshire between 1972 and 1977. In the 1974–75 Ranji Trophy season he produced a remarkable haul of 64 wickets.

Leadership and coaching

Bedi served as India’s captain in 1976 and enjoyed notable successes, including a victory in Port of Spain against the West Indies and a home series win over New Zealand. He later took up coaching and management roles: in 1990 he was appointed India’s coach and manager for the New Zealand tour, and he went on to coach state sides including Punjab, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir. He guided Punjab to the Ranji Trophy title in 1992–93.

Public profile

Bedi’s career earned several national honors: he was named Indian Cricketer of the Year in 1967, received the Arjuna Award in 1969, and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1970. Later recognition included the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 and induction into the Wisden India Hall of Fame in 2015.

He was known for a forthright personality and strong views on the game. During his playing and post-playing years he was involved in high-profile incidents that attracted attention, and he expressed strong opinions about cricket’s changing formats, describing Twenty20 cricket in dismissive terms.

Personal life

Bedi was married to Anju Inderjit Bedi. He had several children, including his son Angad Bedi. His family included a daughter, Neha Bedi, who worked as a lifestyle columnist and vlogger, and his daughter-in-law Neha Dhupia.

He maintained a public persona marked by generosity on and off the field; one reported episode describes him donating blood while on tour.

Later years and death

Bishan Singh Bedi’s playing career wound down after a long tenure with Delhi and county cricket. He remained engaged with cricket through coaching and commentary on the game. He died on 23 October 2023 after a prolonged illness.

Latest updates

At the time of his passing Bedi was remembered for his contributions to Indian spin bowling, his coaching successes, and the honors that marked his long association with the sport.
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Recent Work

Coach of India (1990)

Appointed coach and manager for the 1990 New Zealand tour; later coached state teams including Punjab, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir and guided Punjab to the 1992–93 Ranji Trophy.

1990–1993
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Career Highlights

  1. Member of India’s spin quartet alongside Prasanna, Venkataraghavan and Chandrasekhar
  2. First Indian to take 200 Test wickets
  3. Best Test bowling 7 for 98 against Australia (1969)
  4. Outstanding economical spell in 1975 World Cup: 12 overs for 6 runs with eight maidens
  5. Led India as captain (mid-1970s) and later served as national coach and state coach
  6. Arjuna Award (1969) and Padma Shri (1970)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bishan Singh Bedi born?

25 September 1946

What is Bishan Singh Bedi known for?

Cricketer (Bowler)

What is Bishan Singh Bedi’s marital status?

Married

Who is Bishan Singh Bedi married to?

Anju Inderjit Bedi