Archives: Press Reviews

‘In this learned and fascinating study, Professor Lal brings to life India’s struggle for freedom from British rule by subtly knitting together, through images, in its different forms, and graphic word, India’s passage to independence … From it we learn progressively that it is not only the militant agitator who becomes an agent of social and political change, but the militant artist as well.’

‘He loved to quote Don Bradman, who when asked in a television interview late in life about what he would like to remembered for had replied: integrity. That is something Bishan will always be remembered for too – integrity.’

‘Besides being a gentlemanly cricketer, Bedi was a terrific competitor. A forthright man, he was not diplomatic, he could be choleric.’

‘Bishan Singh always had a cricketing point to drive home, it was wonderful to have had so many conversations about the game with him.’

‘Bishan was courageous as a cricketer whether taking on the best batsmen of the day or facing up to some of the many menacing fast bowlers of his era. He continues to be courageous off the field as he speaks up for the things in which he believes or against that with which he disagrees.’

‘Bishan Bedi with the ball, and Sunil Gavaskar with the bat, were the two most perfect cricketers of modern times. One could not watch them play without wishing every moment was being filmed for posterity.’

‘Until Wasim Akram came on the scene, Bishan Singh Bedi was the best left-hand bowler I had seen. Guess one can now say Bedi is the best left-arm spinner and Wasim Akram the best left-arm pacer we have seen.’

‘I learnt how he never missed a Ranji Trophy match in his playing days. It showed his commitment to the game at all levels. He wanted us to understand that Cricket was a life process and had to be treated with respect.’

‘Bishan paaji’s passion for the game is unmatched. I don’t think I have come across a better student of the game than him and it always reflected in his approach to cricket – as a player, selector and an administrator…’

‘This book has a remarkable set of essays that very powerfully capture the impact of the lockdown on the lives of ordinary people for whom even a small disruption of daily routine can entail profound consequences. A must read for those wanting to understand what happened in those awful summer months of 2020.’