Bishan Singh Bedi: Former veteran spin bowler Bishan Singh Bedi has passed away. Bishan Singh breathed his last at the age of 77. The former leg spin bowler led India to memorable victories in many matches during his international career. However, in the match played against West Indies in 1976, Bishan Singh’s decision as captain remained controversial.
Bishan Singh Bedi
Bishan Singh Bedi 1976 Ind vs WI: Former Indian spin bowler Bishan Singh Bedi has said goodbye to the world. He was fighting for his life for a long time. Bishan Singh breathed his last at the age of 77. The former leg-spin bowler led India to memorable victories in many matches during his international career.
However, in the match played against West Indies in 1976, Bishan Singh’s decision as captain remained controversial. Due to Bishan Singh’s decision to declare the innings, the Indian team had to face a crushing defeat.
Indian batsman was injured
This is from 1976. The Indian team was on the West Indies tour. The three-match Test series was tied at 1-1. The Indian team reached Sabina Park in Jamaica after performing brilliantly in the last test match. Even in the last Test match of the series, Sunil Gavaskar and Anshuman Gaikwad gave a strong start to Team India. The Caribbean fast bowlers were amused by the batting of Gavaskar-Anshuman. After failing to dismiss the Indian batsmen, West Indies captain Clive Lloyd prepared a master plan.
Bishan Singh’s controversial decision
Caribbean fast bowlers started attacking the bodies of the Indian batsmen except their stumps. Anshuman was injured by Michael Holding with his fastball. Holding’s fiery ball hit Anshuman’s ear and he had to go to the hospital. After this, the same happened to Brijesh Patel.
West Indies fast bowlers one by one sent a total of five Indian batsmen to the hospital. Bishan Singh, who was captaining the team in that match, after seeing the players getting injured one after the other, announced to declare the Indian innings only after the fall of six wickets.
The second inning also declared
The condition of Indian batsmen became worse in the second innings. Injured players did not come out to bat. Team India lost its five wickets on the score of 97. The Caribbean bowlers were intent on killing the Indian batsmen that day. Every ball of the West Indies fast bowlers was targeting the body of the Indian batsmen. This was the reason why captain Bishan Singh did not allow the rest of the batsmen to go on the field to bat.
Bishan Singh declared the second innings only after five wickets fell. This decision of Bishan was controversial and he was heavily criticized for it. The Caribbean team also captured the series by winning this test match by 10 wickets.
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