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He was also extremely good-natured and without any airs, ready to laugh at himself. This often made him the target of a number of good-natured pranks. And perhaps the greatest of these took place on this tour. Geoffrey Boycott in "In the Fast Lane" describes it thus: 
It comes from one of India’s finest writers and historians, Ramachandra Guha. An award winning author, he was part of member of the Committee of Administrators appointed by the Supreme Court of India to oversee reforms in the BCCI in 2017. And he summed up Bedi like no one did. 
Roosevelt, who has been US President from 1901-09, was campaigning for Presidency in Milwaukee, for the Progressive Party, also called The Bull Moose Party. As he waved to the crowd from his car, a shot rang out. Roosevelt collapsed, having been hit by John Schrank. 
India came to the West Indies in 1971 with very little hope. They had never won a Test agains the Windies, and lost 10 of the last 13. Although short of bowlers, the West Indies were still expected to easily beat an Indian team with a new captain, Ajit Wadekar. 
World War II was drawing to an end. Germany had surrendered. The Japanese were all but defeated, but fought on, refusing to surrender because of the US' insistence on 'unconditional surrender' which they saw as implying the removal of their emperor (he was considered a God). 
Officially known as the RDS220, the Tsar Bomba (In Russian, "King of Bombs") was a thermonuclear aerial bomb, and is said to be the most powerful nuclear weapon ever created. It was so powerful that it could not even be tested at its full capacity, for fear of what would happen! 
In any era, Mohinder was a dream one day player. A superb, steady batsman capable of shifting gears, a clever and canny medium pacer and a very safe fielder. He was one of the stars of the 1983 World Cup victory. And man of the match in the final against the West Indies. 
India's tour of England had been an unhappy one. The team had been beaten by minnows Sri Lanka in the World Cup, and lost the first Test against England heavily. Superb tons by Vengsarkar and Vishwanath saved it in the second Test after the team had been skittled out for 96! 
The Manchester United team, nicknamed the Busby Babes, were flying home after a European Cup match. The pilot had twice abandoned take off because of engine issues. There was some talk of staying overnight, but they decided to try one more time. It was a fatal decision. 
This was the second Test of the (in)famous Bodyline series. England had won the first using leg theory that had shocked many as it seemed to target the batsman. Australian fans, however, pointed out that the great Bradman had not played the first Test. He would sort this out! 
For me, however, the true essence of Willis came to the fore two years after that. 
Revenge was in the air when West Indies toured India in 1983-84, after the 1983 World Cup defeat. Everyone expected the Windies to come hard at the new World champions, but India had a capable side with the likes of Kapil Dev, Gavaskar, Amarnath, Vengsarkar and others 
West Indies had arrived in Pakistan for a three-Test series as overwhelming favourites. Although missing Holding and Garner, this was still a formidable side, with the likes of Greenidge, Haynes, Richardson, Gomes, Dijon, Marshall, Walsh and of course, skipper Viv Richards! 
The West Indies were touring India in 1974-75. India were not expected to do well against what was a very strong team featuring the likes of Lloyd, Andy Roberts, Roy Fredericks, Kallicharan, Holder, Julien, Gibbs and two newbies called Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards. 
Australia were playing a Hadlee-less New Zealand in the second of best of three WSC finals. The Aussies had won the first final easily, and seemed set to do so again when they stormed to a record 302-8 in their 50 overs. Steve Smith (another one!) got 117, and Graeme Wood 91! 
England and Australia were contesting the Ashes. And England were being bruised and battered by the Aussie pace attack spearheaded by Lillee and Thomson. With many players stunned and shocked, new captain Tony Greig decided to gamble on a new player! 
Deewar was an action revenge film at a time when romance ruled. It was quite a gamble. Dharmendra is supposed to have been the initial choice but had scheduling issues. Director Prakash Mehra wanted Dev Anand as the hero but he rejected the role because he had no songs in it 
It was the Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool. The occasion was especially poignant for Liverpool who were in the final for the first time since 1984, when a stampede by their own fans had caused English clubs to be banned from Europe for a while. 
The World War had ended in Europe. And as nations struggled to get back to normal, a series of matches was arranged between an England XI and an Australian Services picked from Australian cricketers based in Europe. The matches were known as the "Victory Tests" 
Cricket's oldest rivals, England and Australia were slugging it out for the Ashes. England had arrived with what they had felt was a strong squad with the likes of Amiss, Denness, Grieg, Knott, Lever, Underwood, Willis and others. It was expected to be a competitive series! 