The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid tribute 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 tribute in a social media post, along with a video of Sobers meeting members of the Indian team during their 2023 tour of the West Indies.“The BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. His extraordinary achievements, enduring influence on Caribbean cricket and countless contributions to the world game have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations,” the BCCI wrote. “We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the world cricket community. May his soul rest in peace.”Sobers’ death was confirmed by his son Daniel. The Barbados-born legend died 10 days short of his 90th birthday.
The world of Cricket unites to honor the greatest of all time
Celebrations erupted from cricket circles as soon as the news broke, with Cricket West Indies bidding farewell to one of the game’s most iconic figures.“The great innings is over. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” the team wrote on social media.Widely regarded as the greatest player to ever play the game, Sobers left an incomparable legacy thanks to his incredible versatility. A skilled left-handed batsman, he can play left-arm pace, orthodox spin and arm spin with equal effectiveness, earning a reputation as one of cricket’s best bowlers.His influence is immortalized by the ICC’s highest honor in men’s cricket – the Sir Garfield Sobers Award, which is presented annually to the world’s leading men’s cricketer.
A job that redefined greatness
Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries. With the ball, he took 235 Test wickets, proving himself to be one of cricket’s greatest wicket-takers.He announced himself as a batting giant in 1958 by scoring an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan at Sabina Park, breaking Len Hutton’s world record for the highest Test score. The record stood 36 years before his fellow West Indians Brian Lara passed in 1994.Sobers also made his name in cricket history in 1968 when, playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, he became the first to hit a single six in first-class cricket, beating Malcolm Nash.In a career spanning 383 matches, Sobers scored 28,314 runs and took 1,043 wickets before being given the chance to play cricket in 1975.
