The Rolls-Royce of left-arm spin talks left-arm spin, controversies and friendships

Interview by Ijaz Chaudhry

Each member of India's legendary spin quartet had great respect for the others. There was no jealousy. In fact, we always helped each other and learnt a lot from each other. Pras, Chandra and Venkat were all highly educated as well. We still remain in touch with each other.

I was embroiled in many controversies because I couldn't stand foul play.

It is essential for a spin bowler to have a big heart. The margin of error is less as compared to the fast bowler. He should be prepared to take some stick and never lose his temper.

Being a finger spinner, my biggest assets were my fingers. I used to wash my own clothes, which helped in keeping my fingers and wrists strong and supple. Dumbbells do increase strength, but they are not good for suppleness and flexibility.

I have always regarded chucking as a big menace to the game. The ICC's 15-degree rule is highly controversial. It has provided an umbrella to a number of chuckers. If an umpire deems a bowler to be chucking, he is reported rather than being no-balled. This is ridiculous. In the case of the South African [Johan] Botha, whose doosra had been found to be suspect, the ICC biomechanist came out with the strange explanation that a lot of bowlers from the subcontinent could bowl the doosra legally, but not the Caucasian bowlers.

I have never targeted a particular individual. It is not only [Muttiah] Muralitharan, I have openly spoken about Shoaib Akhtar's action and even against my own country man, Harbhajan Singh.

The last Test of the 1975-76 tour of the West Indies was the series decider. India had won the previous Test chasing a world-record target and West Indies felt humiliated. They had been trounced by Australia 1-5 a couple of months back and were hellbent on winning this series. We had reached 200 for 1 in the first innings when the frustrated West Indian captain, Clive Lloyd, instructed his fast bowlers to resort to bouncers and beamers. We had two of our top batsmen hospitalised. I asked the umpire, [Douglas] Sang Hue why he was not applying Law 46, which related to intimidation. He replied, "Mr Bedi, you will leave this country in a few days. I have my family here."

I raised my voice against Indian cricket authorities many a time, mainly for not suitably remunerating the players. Thanks to sellout crowds on all the days of Tests in the huge Indian stadiums, the cricket board used to make great money even in those days of very little sponsorship. But the players' share was a pittance. My efforts bore fruit and we got better contracts.

It was a great honour to be selected for the World XI in 1971-72. I really enjoyed playing with such great players from different nations.

In 1990 I coached the Indian team for a short term, which was the norm those days. I think a coach needs a long tenure to implement his plans; I didn't enjoy the role much.

It was after 18 years and two wars that we were facing Pakistan, in 1978-79. We wanted to maintain goodwill throughout, but it was one-sided. A few crucial umpiring decisions went against us during the Test matches but we didn't complain.

In the deciding ODI, at Sahiwal, things went to an extreme. Chasing 206, we were well placed at 183 for 2 when the Pakistani fast bowlers, led by my Northants colleague Sarfraz Nawaz, started sending down bouncers that were clearly out of the batsmen's reach, but the umpires took no action and our protests were ignored. Mushy [Mushtaq Mohammad], who was the captain, didn't stop his bowlers. I had no option but to call the batsmen back and concede the game.

Saqlain Mushtaq, the former Pakistan and Surrey offspinner, has been appointed as spin consultant by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the next 12 months. Saqlain's first assignment will be New Zealand's six-week tour of Sri Lanka.

"New Zealand Cricket has an agreement with Saqlain Mushtaq who will work with the Blackcaps over the next 12 months," Stephen Hill, the NZC spokesperson said. "His experience as a spin bowler is considered to be of significant assistance."

In addition to working with the spinners, Saqlain will divulge his vast knowledge of playing in the subcontinent to the New Zealand batsmen, many of whom have never played in this part of the world. "He will be working with both our bowlers and batsmen, usually for a few days at a time during the team's international series over that period," Hill said.

Saqlain initially worked with the team at a training session in Derby, during the ICC World Twenty20, helping the team in preparation for its league game against Sri Lanka.