Former and current cricketers paid rich tributes to the legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, who died on Monday, calling him one of the best bowlers India has ever produced and one who went out of the way to help youngsters.

Bedi, who played 67 Tests between December 1966 and 1979 and took 266 wickets, died at home here after a prolonged illness. He was 77 and is survived by his wife Anju, son Angad and daughter Neha.

Saddened by the news, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar termed Bedi as the “finest” left-arm bowler he had come across. “Sad news indeed. He was the finest left-hand bowler that I saw,” the iconic batsman said.

Sachin Tendulkar also recalled his moments with Bedi. “‘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 New Zealand evenings, we’d sit over meals, and I’d hang on to every story he told, every piece of wisdom he shared.

“Today, there’s an echoing silence where his voice used to be. The world seems a little emptier without you, Paaji. Rest in the eternal peace you so deserve,” Sachin posted on X.

Senior India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hailed Bedi as someone who went out of the way to help young cricketers, while Gautam Gambhir felt the former left-arm spinner’s immense contribution would be remembered forever.

“Sad to hear about the demise of the great Bishan Singh Bedi. Apart from being a great cricketer, he was an affable person and went the extra mile to help young cricketers,” Ashwin said.

“Extremely saddened by the passing of Bishan Singh Bedi ji. His immense contribution to cricket will forever be remembered. May god give strength to his family and loved ones!” Gambhir wrote on X.

Bedi was a part of Indian cricket’s golden quartet of spinners, the others being Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chadrasekhar and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, who formed the core of India’s bowling unit for more than a decade between 1966 and 1978.

Another former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin also offered his condolences on the passing away of Bedi. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan described Bedi as one of the best the country has produced.

“Bishan Singh Bedi. One of our best is no more. It’s a loss to our cricketing fraternity,” wrote Pathan on X.

Former captain of the India women’s team, Mithali Raj, too, paid her tribute. “Saddened by the news of Shri Bishan Singh Bedi ji passing away. He’ll always be among the best bowlers to have represented India. My condolences to his family and friends.”

Written with PTI inputs