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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has 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 an emotional post on social media, accompanied by a video of Sobers meeting members of the Indian team during their 2023 West Indies tour.“BCCI mourns the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, a true icon of the game and one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders ever. His outstanding achievements, lasting impact on Caribbean cricket and immeasurable contribution to the global game have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations,” the BCCI wrote. “Our sincere condolences to his family, friends and the global cricketing fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.”The death of Sobers was confirmed by his son Danijel. The Barbados-born legend passed away just 10 days before his 90th birthday.
World cricket units to honor an all-time great
Soon after the news broke, recognition poured in from across the cricketing fraternity, with Cricket West Indies issuing a heartfelt farewell to one of the biggest icons of the sport.“A great inning has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” management wrote on social media.Widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder to ever play the game, Sobers left an unparalleled legacy through his extraordinary versatility. A gifted left-arm batsman, he could bowl left-arm pace, orthodox spin and wrist with equal effectiveness, while earning a reputation as one of cricket’s finest.His influence remains immortalized through the ICC’s highest single honor in men’s cricket — the Sir Garfield Sobers Award, presented annually to the outstanding male cricketer in all international formats.
A career that redefines greatness
Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at a remarkable average of 57.78, including 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries. He took 235 Test wickets with the ball, underscoring 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 36 years before his compatriot from the West Indies Brian Lara he surpassed it in 1994.Sobers also etched his name into cricketing folklore in 1968 when, playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, he became the first batsman to hit six sixes in one over in first-class cricket, achieving the feat against Malcolm Nash.In a remarkable first-class career spanning 383 matches, Sobers amassed 28,314 runs and took 1,043 wickets before being knighted for services to cricket in 1975.
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