The cricketing world is in mourning following the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, the iconic West Indies all-rounder, who died at 89 in Barbados. Tributes from former and current cricketers poured in, with Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli leading the condolences for Sobers’ immense contribution to the sport. Tendulkar, reflecting on his personal bond with Sobers, recalled various memorable moments they shared over the years, from the 2003 ODI World Cup to their last meeting in London.
Sobers, known for presenting Tendulkar with the Player of the Tournament award at the 2003 ODI World Cup and honoring him for scoring 100 international centuries, was praised not only for his cricketing prowess but also for his warmth and humility off the field. Virat Kohli also paid tribute to Sobers, hailing him as one of cricket’s greatest figures whose legacy will endure for generations. Mithali Raj, former India captain, expressed her deep sadness at Sobers’ passing, acknowledging his legendary status and the inspiration he provided to cricket lovers worldwide.
India all-rounder Shardul Thakur recounted a conversation with Sunil Gavaskar, where the latter spoke highly of Sobers shortly before his demise. Angelo Mathews, former Sri Lanka captain, described Sobers as the epitome of cricketing excellence, emphasizing his influence beyond mere statistics and records. Widely acclaimed as the finest all-rounder in cricket history, Sobers left an indelible mark with feats like an unbeaten 365 in Test cricket, the first to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket, and a career that defined all-round brilliance.
