To Bishan, With Love: Book on Legendary Spinner Bishan Singh Bedi Launched
A commemorative book titled 'To Bishan, With Love: Celebrating a Lifetime of Memories', compiled by Anju Bedi, was officially launched at the India International Centre in New Delhi. The volume was released by former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev and former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on the occasion of the late spin legend's 80th birth anniversary.
What happened
A new book paying tribute to the late Indian cricket icon Bishan Singh Bedi, titled 'To Bishan, With Love: Celebrating a Lifetime of Memories', was formally released at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi. The book has been compiled by his wife, Anju Bedi, and published by Rupa Publications. It spans 224 pages and is priced at ₹595.
The launch coincided with Bishan Singh Bedi's 80th birth anniversary on September 25, 2026. The book was officially unveiled by 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev—who made his international debut under Bedi's leadership in the 1978–79 season—alongside former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was also among the prominent dignitaries present at the launch.
The compilation features essays, reflections, and personal memories penned by an array of global cricket stalwarts and prominent personalities. Cricket contributors include Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Mohammad Azharuddin, E.A.S. Prasanna, Farokh Engineer, Kirti Azad, Madan Lal, and Murali Kartik, along with international legends such as Sir Richard Hadlee, Michael Holding, Mike Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, and Mushtaq Mohammad. Contributions from other spheres include Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Abhinav Bindra, Ajit Pal Singh, Shashi Tharoor, Ramachandra Guha, Rajdeep Sardesai, as well as family members Angad Bedi, Neha Bedi, and Bedi's 11-year-old granddaughter Suhavi.
Bishan Singh Bedi, who passed away on October 23, 2023, at the age of 77 in New Delhi, was an iconic left-arm spinner. Over an illustrious international career, he played 67 Test matches and 10 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India, claiming a combined tally of 273 international wickets. He also captained India in 22 Tests and was a member of the Indian side that played the nation's inaugural ODI against England on July 13, 1974.
Important dates
| Bishan Singh Bedi's Birth Date | 25 September 1946 |
|---|---|
| India's First-Ever ODI Match | 13 July 1974 |
| Demise of Bishan Singh Bedi | 23 October 2023 |
| Release of 'To Bishan, With Love' (80th Birth Anniversary) | 25 September 2026 |
📌 Static GK links
- India's First ODI: Played against England at Headingley, Leeds, on July 13, 1974, with Bishan Singh Bedi in the playing XI.
- Bishan Singh Bedi's Overall Wicket Record: 266 wickets in 67 Tests; 7 wickets in 10 ODIs; 1,560 first-class wickets.
- County Cricket Team: Northamptonshire (played alongside Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Mohammad).
- Earlier Books on Bedi: 'The Sardar of Spin: A Celebration of the Life and Art of Bishan Singh Bedi' (Roli Books, 2021), 'Bishan: Portrait of a Cricketer' by Suresh Menon, and 'Stay Humble: A Philosophical Reflection on Bishan Singh Bedi' by Gangaram Singh.
What candidates should do
- Add 'To Bishan, With Love' and compiler Anju Bedi to the dedicated 'Books and Authors' section of sports-related notes.
- Revise Bishan Singh Bedi's international records, including total wickets, number of Tests captained, and India's first ODI match details.
- Cross-reference other sports biographies and autobiographies published in 2026 for upcoming banking and SSC exams.
PrepZen analysis
Questions on recently released books, sports autobiographies, and memorial publications frequently appear in the General Awareness sections of SSC CGL, Banking (IBPS, SBI, RBI), and State PSC examinations. Test-makers often ask either for the compiler/author of the book or test static facts related to the personality being honoured.
Bishan Singh Bedi was a central pillar of India's famous spin quartet. Memorising his career milestones—such as his 273 international wickets, 22 Tests as captain, and participation in India's first-ever ODI—provides a scoring advantage in the static sports General Knowledge section.
Practice questions
Q1. The commemorative book titled 'To Bishan, With Love: Celebrating a Lifetime of Memories' has been compiled by whom?
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding legendary Indian cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi:
1. He took a combined total of 273 wickets across Test and ODI cricket.
2. He represented India in the country's first-ever One Day International on July 13, 1974.
3. He captained India in 22 Test matches.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Q3. Who among the following launched the book 'To Bishan, With Love' at the India International Centre in New Delhi?
Compiled by Anju Bedi, wife of Bishan Singh Bedi.
Launched by Capt Amarinder Singh and Kapil Dev.
Bedi represented India in 67 Tests, 10 ODIs, took 273 wickets.
Part of India's first-ever ODI on July 13, 1974.
🎯 Key Point: "To Bishan, With Love" book by Anju Bedi on Bishan Singh Bedi.
FAQs
Who is the author or compiler of the book 'To Bishan, With Love'?
The book was compiled by Anju Bedi, wife of the late legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi.
How many international wickets did Bishan Singh Bedi take during his career?
Bishan Singh Bedi claimed 273 international wickets in total, consisting of 266 wickets in 67 Test matches and 7 wickets in 10 ODIs.
When did India play its first-ever ODI match, and was Bishan Singh Bedi part of it?
India played its first-ever One Day International on July 13, 1974, against England, and Bishan Singh Bedi was a part of that playing XI.
Which publisher released the book 'To Bishan, With Love'?
The book was published by Rupa Publications.
Sources and references
- midlandbookshop.com (www.midlandbookshop.com)
- tribuneindia.com (www.tribuneindia.com)
- thepatriot.in (thepatriot.in)
- maneeshmedia.com (maneeshmedia.com)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
Practice Quiz — 31 October 2026
Q1. Who has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on October 31, 2026?
Q2. Who has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JioBlackRock Broking?
Q3. Who chairs the newly constituted High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat 2047?
Q4. The Berkap-Reiju Festival, a traditional cultural festival, is celebrated by which community in Manipur?
Q5. Which month has been declared as "Grievance Resolution Month" by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)?
A LITTLE PRACTICE. EVERY DAY.
Turn your reading into practice.
Daily current affairs, quizzes, vocabulary and a mistake bank — together in PrepZen.
Free Android app · Learn at your own pace
Good notes. One tap away.
Find study reels, PDF keywords and current affairs updates from PrepZen.