Tweak-a-boo: Bedi unleashed

The art of Bishan Singh Bedi's tantalising left-arm spin, his career and how playing for the country shaped a reticent youngster into the man he became is recounted in his biography Bishan: Portrait of a cricketer, written by sports journalist Suresh Menon.

He was the leader of India's famous spin quartet that dominated the '60s and '70s under inspirational skipper Tiger Pataudi.

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The art of Bishan Singh Bedi's tantalising left-arm spin, his career and how playing for the country shaped a reticent youngster into the man he became is recounted in his biography Bishan: Portrait of a cricketer, written by sports journalist Suresh Menon.

Bedi paid tribute to Pataudi, recalling how he was included for his Test debut against West Indies in Kolkata in 1966 when he had not figured in the initial squad. He blamed the current slump in Indian spin to bowlers not getting enough overs under their belt. "I was told Praveen Kumar bowled around 200 overs in England. In our days we bowled much more, in County cricket, in domestic matches and for India. Unless you bowl, you won't get better."

The IPL - bowling just four overs in a game - added to the problem, he said. He gave his spin to the club versus country debate saying that Sachin, Dravid, Kumble and Laxman didn't put club over country.