Tribute to Bedi

Master of guile  king of flight  he could make the ball talk  if… you listened awhile  he could make  the ball sing yes, he could  maestro… ever ready … Bedi, Bishan Singh  orthodox left-arm spin  all silky smoothness  his arm ball was lethal  as it came back in  he gave the ball air  angling it away  he wore a bright colour patka for each day of a test  he bowled all day  demanding no rest  a captain’s dream all control and rhythm  every batsman knew  he would keep coming at them  getting the ball to hurry on  getting the ball to hold back  known to be frugal he gave nothing away  even in his containment  one could sense his attack  part of the famed spin quartet  where there was  no first amongst equals  nobody played second fiddle  Bishan Singh Bedi  courageous Captain of India  who stood his ground  amongst the pantheon  of cricket legends may his name resound