You Have To Attack, Bedi Tells Spinners

Richard Edwards finds that the former India magician is enraged that the dot ball has become the sought-after currency for the modern slow man

It’s not about the dot balls,” says a clearly infuriated Bishan Bedi.“It’s about taking wickets. It’sabout entertaining people. Spin bowling is art.”

He’s right. Which is why he’s so frustrated with the modern notion that spin bowlers are there to carry out a task no more onerous than ensuring the quicks are given a breather before returning to take the glory.

If that had been the case during the period he played Test cricket then it’s conceivable that India would never have won a match.

When The Cricket Paper caught up with Barry Richards recently, he was asked which bowler he remembered facing most vividly in the County Championship. He immediately cited a spell he had from Bedi in a low scoring match between Hampshire and Northamptonshire. It was, he said: “County cricket at its finest.”

Given the quality of the bowlers that Richards faced during his near decade with Hampshire, it’s an indication of just how good Bedi was.

Now 71, the former left-arm web weaver, still has the same passion for the game. And there’s one player who has his pulse racing before the Test series between England and India has even begun.