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Bishan : Portrait of a Cricketer
The name Bishan Singh Bedi conjures up one of the finest bowling actions in cricket poetry in motion. The most successful of India s legendary spin quartet of the 1970s, Bedi played 67 Tests and picked up 266 wickets, making him the highest Indian wicket-taker at the time. He was a master of deception who combined variations in flight, spin and pace to beguile the best of batsmen. Playing at a time when Indian cricket was just coming into its own, he featured in the incredible Indian victories in England and in the Caribbean in the 1970s. There has always been more to Bedi than spin bowling. Forthright and outspoken, he clashed with officialdom as he crusaded for players rights. He was also dogged by controversy, provoking extreme responses to his objecting to the use of Vaseline by John Lever, declaring India s second innings at Kingston in protest against intimidatory bowling by the West Indians and, famously, calling Muttiah Muralitharan a chucker. This portrait by Suresh Menon, one of India s finest sports writers, is a remarkable account of an astonishing character a true cricketing great whose zest and passion for the game remain undiminished.
- GenresBiography
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2018
3.5/5 A largely well-written book on one of India’s most celebrated cricketers. His skill, his career, his captaincy and ofcourse his controversies have been described adequately. The famous Bedi utterances are all there to spice it up but told gracefully and with context.
However, felt that the book was choppily edited and the sequence of events even in a single test series was difficult to understand. Even the chapter on his county stint or domestic cricket seemed abruptly shrunk and became frustrating. Hence, found it difficult to follow sometimes, despite having read some cricket books earlier !
However, felt that the book was choppily edited and the sequence of events even in a single test series was difficult to understand. Even the chapter on his county stint or domestic cricket seemed abruptly shrunk and became frustrating. Hence, found it difficult to follow sometimes, despite having read some cricket books earlier !
December 17, 2017
A readable biography of a cricketing legend known for silkiness in bowling action and masala in other deeds on (and off) the field. The book could have been a masterly character-study but restricts itself to lesser ambitions. Suresh Menon is capable of much more but a smooth read nonetheless.
June 27, 2022
There are people especially in the sporting world who invoke extreme reactions- worship or hate. Bishan Bedi would instantly be a part of such people with his paradoxical behavior, but even for the people who don’t like him will still wax lyrical about his bowling. This is a true mark of a artist, and Bedi exemplifies the same. I would stick my neck out and say that there has been no smoother, classical bowling action then Bedi atleast for the spinners in the cricketing world. This is the spirit of Bishan Bedi which the author tries to capture and largely provides a decent overview of the man and his times.
The book is easy-to-read, flows decently and captures the journey well. In most cases he is able to capture perspective from different stakeholders which provides the necessary rounding for such a character. The book sheds light on some interesting aspects like Bedi transforming from a shy individual to an extrovert and coming into public spotlight through the Rest of the World series in 1971.
It is quite instructive to read about Bedi’s journey in an epochal period in India’s cricket history where it was making a move towards winning ways, and shuffling between captains of different personalities. There are a few downers, especially where in some passages related to other cricketers where the author seem to have allowed his own biases and perceptions to hold sway. Again in a couple of scenarios, the author has once dismissed the opinion expressed by a cricketer and then quoted the same cricketer authoritatively in another instance.
A special mention must be made of the statistics provided at the end of the book, the slice and dice analysis which are done help to illuminate some of the perceptive points noted in the book. I will in fact make the case of including atleast some stats with the relevant instances where possible rather only at the end of the book.
The author does a decent job in this biography of such an overwhelming and passionate cricketer, and is definitely worth a read once.
The book is easy-to-read, flows decently and captures the journey well. In most cases he is able to capture perspective from different stakeholders which provides the necessary rounding for such a character. The book sheds light on some interesting aspects like Bedi transforming from a shy individual to an extrovert and coming into public spotlight through the Rest of the World series in 1971.
It is quite instructive to read about Bedi’s journey in an epochal period in India’s cricket history where it was making a move towards winning ways, and shuffling between captains of different personalities. There are a few downers, especially where in some passages related to other cricketers where the author seem to have allowed his own biases and perceptions to hold sway. Again in a couple of scenarios, the author has once dismissed the opinion expressed by a cricketer and then quoted the same cricketer authoritatively in another instance.
A special mention must be made of the statistics provided at the end of the book, the slice and dice analysis which are done help to illuminate some of the perceptive points noted in the book. I will in fact make the case of including atleast some stats with the relevant instances where possible rather only at the end of the book.
The author does a decent job in this biography of such an overwhelming and passionate cricketer, and is definitely worth a read once.
October 22, 2021
Few cricket books speak of more than just the game. Few biography books speak of more than just the person, just his statistics at least. This book on Bishan Singh Bedi is one of those rare kinds.
It depicts a real-life picture of the first "player's captain" of Indian cricket team. Not only that it is a documentary of the evolution of the game under this great player.
A must read !!!
It depicts a real-life picture of the first "player's captain" of Indian cricket team. Not only that it is a documentary of the evolution of the game under this great player.
A must read !!!
October 9, 2019
It was a nice biography. Could have worked better had it been more detailed and in a chronological order.
January 18, 2017
A fine book about Bishan Bedi, his exploits on the cricket field as well as off it.
Along with covering Bedi, the author provides insights into the how and why of the spinning quartet's success, as well as decline.
Perhaps the book could have had more quotes from his fellow cricketers, to add to the summary of news coverage over the years of Bedi, and the Indian Cricket team.
As I write this review, a full-fledged England side have been comprehensively beaten 4-0 in the 2016 Test series - a result that is sweeter in the context of some of the writing in the book!
Along with covering Bedi, the author provides insights into the how and why of the spinning quartet's success, as well as decline.
Perhaps the book could have had more quotes from his fellow cricketers, to add to the summary of news coverage over the years of Bedi, and the Indian Cricket team.
As I write this review, a full-fledged England side have been comprehensively beaten 4-0 in the 2016 Test series - a result that is sweeter in the context of some of the writing in the book!
October 11, 2016
Suresh Menon is a good writer and this book is easy to read but I wanted more. It did not delve deeply enough into Bedi's character or the events on and off the field during his career. A more accurate title would have been Bishan: A sketch of a cricketer because it gives the reader a glimpse of Bedi but no more than that.
December 28, 2014
Considering the kind of access that the Author had to his subject, it lacks a bit of depth.
July 24, 2013
Harbhajan Singh should give this a read. Will help him.
February 10, 2014
It was a nice biography. Could have worked better had it been more detailed and in a chronological order.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews