NEW DELHI, July 18: The passing of Sir Garfield Sobers has united the cricketing fraternity in grief, with players, administrators and former teammates from across generations paying tribute to a man widely regarded as the greatest all-round cricketer the sport has ever produced.
Sobers, who died at his home in Bridgetown, Barbados, aged 89, leaves behind a legacy that transcends statistics.
While his numbers remain staggering—8,032 Test runs, 26 centuries and 235 wickets in 93 Tests—it is the sheer completeness of his cricket that has prompted an outpouring of admiration from every corner of the globe.
A legend who shaped world cricket
Leading the global tributes, ICC chairman Jay Shah described Sobers as the finest all-rounder the game has ever known, saying the Barbadian not only dominated on the field but also helped shape the identity of West Indies cricket during one of its most celebrated eras.
According to Shah, Sobers’ influence stretched far beyond the boundary ropes and his achievements would continue to inspire generations of cricketers across the world.
A Caribbean icon beyond cricket
For those in the Caribbean, Sobers represented much more than sporting excellence.
Current West Indies captains Roston Chase, Hayley Matthews and Shai Hope said his remarkable journey from Barbados to becoming arguably the greatest cricketer in history symbolised the dreams of every young player across the islands.
They noted that while individual nations shaped their identities, West Indies cricket gave them a united platform, and Sobers became its greatest ambassador.
Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow echoed those sentiments, describing Sobers as a symbol of Caribbean excellence, resilience and possibility.
He said the legendary all-rounder gave an entire region the confidence to believe that greatness was never limited by geography or circumstance.
Indian cricket salutes one of its greatest inspirations
Tributes poured in from India, where Sobers had inspired generations of cricketers.
Virat Kohli described him as one of cricket’s greatest figures whose legacy would continue to inspire future generations, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India acknowledged his immeasurable contribution to world cricket and his lasting influence on the game.
Sunil Gavaskar, however, offered perhaps the most emotional tribute.
Calling Sobers “the greatest cricketer to walk the earth”, the Indian batting legend said the Barbadian represented everything young boys dream of becoming when they first pick up a bat or ball.
He added that memories of Sobers would remain close to his heart forever.
The man who revolutionised cricket, says Kapil Dev
Former India captain Kapil Dev believes Sobers did much more than dominate cricket — he changed the way it was played.
Kapil recalled that Sobers challenged conventional coaching methods by proving that scoring opportunities extended well beyond the traditional “V”, encouraging players to think creatively and play with freedom.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain said Sobers’ ability to excel equally with bat, pace bowling, spin bowling and fielding placed him in a category of his own. More importantly, Kapil remembered him as a cricketer who genuinely enjoyed the game and inspired countless youngsters to do the same.
Away from cricket, Kapil remembered Sobers as a wonderful storyteller whose conversations often revolved around life rather than the sport itself, making every interaction memorable.
Farokh Engineer remembers a dear friend
Few players knew Sobers as intimately as former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer.Having played alongside him in World XI teams and shared friendships that extended well beyond cricket, Engineer described Sobers as “the most complete cricketer” he had ever seen.
He recalled how Sobers could bat with elegance, bowl left-arm pace, wrist spin and orthodox spin with equal effectiveness, field brilliantly and lift teammates through his infectious personality.
Engineer also remembered the lighter moments they shared during county cricket, golf outings and festive celebrations, saying Sobers’ warmth and humility matched his extraordinary cricketing talent.
The superstition that made Sobers human
Former commentator Sushil Doshi chose to remember a lesser-known side of the cricketing giant.
He narrated the famous story from India’s 1971 tour of the West Indies, when Sobers believed touching Sunil Gavaskar’s shoulder before batting would bring him luck.
Aware of the superstition, India captain Ajit Wadekar reportedly kept Gavaskar locked inside the dressing-room bathroom before Sobers walked out to bat.Unable to perform his ritual, Sobers was dismissed for a duck.
For Doshi, the story perfectly illustrated that even the greatest sportsmen carried ordinary human beliefs. He also fondly remembered Sobers as someone who embraced life with enthusiasm, loved social gatherings and never allowed fame to overshadow his personality.
A legacy that crossed every border
The tributes extended far beyond the Caribbean and India.England legend Geoffrey Boycott remembered Sobers as a once-in-a-generation all-rounder whose mere walk to the crease exuded confidence without arrogance.
Pakistan’s Babar Azam said Sobers showed the cricketing world what was possible through mastery of every discipline.
Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop recalled him as a generous mentor who elevated Barbados and the Caribbean through his achievements, while Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley described him as a national treasure who made every Barbadian stand a little taller with pride.
Cricket Australia also honoured Sobers’ contribution to Australian cricket, recalling his successful years with South Australia during the early 1960s, where he played a pivotal role in the state’s Sheffield Shield triumph.
A legacy that will never fade
Many will remember Sobers as the first man to score 365 in a Test innings. Others will remember the six sixes in an over, the effortless left-handed strokeplay, his ability to bowl both pace and spin, or his brilliance in the field. (Agencies)
