The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) led tributes to Sir Garfield Sobers after the legendary West Indies all-rounder died on Friday at the age of 89, remembering him as “a true icon of the game” whose influence will continue to inspire generations.The Indian cricket board paid homage with an emotional post on social media, accompanied by a video of Sobers meeting members of the Indian team during their tour of the West Indies in 2023.“The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest-ever all-rounders. His extraordinary achievements, lasting influence on Caribbean cricket and immeasurable contribution to the global game have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire generations,” the BCCI wrote. “Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the global cricketing fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.”Sobers’ death was confirmed by his son Daniel. The Barbados-born legend passed away just 10 days before what would have been his 90th birthday.
Cricket world unites to honour an all-time great
Tributes poured in from across the cricketing fraternity soon after the news broke, with Cricket West Indies posting a heartfelt farewell to one of the sport’s greatest icons.“A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” the board wrote on social media.Widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder to have played the game, Sobers left an unmatched legacy through his extraordinary versatility. A gifted left-handed batter, he could bowl left-arm pace, orthodox spin and wrist spin with equal effectiveness, while also earning a reputation as one of cricket’s finest fielders.His influence remains immortalised through the ICC’s highest individual honour in men’s cricket — the Sir Garfield Sobers Award, presented annually to the outstanding men’s cricketer across all international formats.
A career that redefined greatness
Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an outstanding average of 57.78, including 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed 235 Test wickets, underlining his status as one of cricket’s most complete players.He announced himself as a batting giant in 1958 by scoring an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan at Sabina Park, breaking Len Hutton’s then-world record for the highest individual Test score. The record stood for 36 years before fellow West Indian Brian Lara surpassed it in 1994.Sobers also etched his name into cricket folklore in 1968 when, playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, he became the first batter to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket, achieving the feat against Malcolm Nash.Across a remarkable first-class career spanning 383 matches, Sobers amassed 28,314 runs and claimed 1,043 wickets before being knighted for services to cricket in 1975.
