'I Was Like Son To Him...', Sachin Tendulkar's Heartfelt Tribute To Bishan Singh Bedi

On a somber October 23, Indian cricket lost one of its most cherished figures - the legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi. Aged 77, Bedi bid farewell after a prolonged illness, leaving an indelible void in the heart of the sport. As the cricketing world mourns the loss of this iconic figure, we delve into Sachin Tendulkar's deeply emotional tribute to the man who was not just a mentor but also a fatherly figure in his cricketing journey.
"Sashu," he'd say with warmth that only he possessed. To Bishan Paaji, I wasn't just another cricketer; I was like a son. Under his nurturing guidance, I scored my first 100 in England. On chilly NZ evenings, we'd sit over meals, and I'd hang on to every story he told, every_ pic.twitter.com/z0ahschCvp

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 23, 2023

Sachin Tendulkar's Emotional Tribute

Upon hearing the devastating news of Bishan Singh Bedi's passing, cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar poured his heart out in a heartfelt tribute. Tendulkar recalled the close bond he shared with the late spin maestro, highlighting how Bedi treated him not just as a cricketer but as a son. Bedi affectionately referred to Tendulkar as 'Sashu,' and the Little Master reminisced about their cherished moments together. Tendulkar specifically mentioned how Bedi's guidance played a pivotal role in his landmark Test century against England in 1990 when Bedi was the national team's coach.

Bishan Singh Bedi's Stalwart Legacy

Bedi's legacy in Indian cricket is unquestionable. As the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for India, he scalped 266 wickets, placing him fifth among spinners. Bedi's contribution to the famous Indian spin quartet that dominated the cricketing world remains unparalleled. He was the sole Indian cricketer in the squad that achieved Test series victories on English, Australian, New Zealand, and West Indian soil for the first time, cementing his status as a true cricketing legend.

Tributes from the Cricketing Fraternity

Sachin Tendulkar's emotional tribute is just one of the many heartfelt messages that have poured in from the cricketing fraternity. Commentator Harsha Bhogle remembered Bedi's love for the game and the void left by his departure, stating that it was a sad day for India and cricket. Current and former Indian cricket stars, including Virat Kohli, Smriti Mandhana, KL Rahul, Dinesh Karthik, Mithali Raj, Irfan Pathan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, VVS Laxman, and Ravi Shastri, also paid their respects, reflecting the immense impact Bedi had on the sport.