An English writer once referred to Bishan Singh Bedi as “poetry in motion.” In a way, it did justice to his beautiful, rhythmic, flawless and effortless bowling action. He mastered his craft by honing his bowling skills for hours in the nets. He had the confidence to adjust his line and length, especially if he noticed a batsman stepping out early. With a subtle flick of the wrist just before the ball left his fingers, he could deceive even the best of batsmen who struggled to reach the pitch of his deliveries.

I grew up in Nehru Nagar, Kurla. Although I was a right handed off-spinner, who enjoyed playing tennis-ball cricket, my Nehru Nagar friends still call me ‘Bedi’ as he was our idol. Such was his fan-following that we used to collect and paste his pictures in our scrapbook and exchange those pictures for chocolates.