Tributes pour in as West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers passes away: Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara and cricket world reacts

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Tributes pour in as West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers passes away: Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara and cricket world reacts originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers passes away aged 89.
  • Held Test record 365 not out for 36 years.
  • Suil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Sourav Ganguly, and Virender Sehwag lead heartfelt tributes worldwide.

Cricket world mourns as West Indies great Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

Tributes have started pouring in as cricket lost one of its most complete practitioners, with West Indies great Sir Garfield Sobers passing away at the age of 89.

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Between 1954 and 1974, Sobers turned out in 93 Test matches for the Caribbean side, piling up 8,032 runs and claiming 235 wickets along the way. It is a rare combination that puts him in a league very few players have ever reached.

A left-hander whose stroke play drew crowds wherever he went, he once smashed an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958, a knock that held firm as the highest score in Test history for a full 36 years before it was finally chased down.

But what really made him stand apart from the rest was how easily he could switch things up with the ball, moving between spin and pace depending on whatever the pitch or moment called for.

His contributions to the sport earned him a knighthood in 1975, and he was later honoured as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the twentieth century.

MORE: BCCI share throwback video of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to pay emotional tribute to late West Indies icon Sir Garfield Sobers

The cricket fraternity says goodbye in heartfelt words

Sunil Gavaskar described it as perhaps the most sorrowful day cricket has ever witnessed, calling Sobers the greatest cricketer to have ever lived.

He said: "This is probably the saddest day for the game of cricket . The greatest cricketer to walk the earth has left us. No words can ever do justice to Sir Garfield Sobers the cricketer. He was everything we dream of becoming when we pick up the bat or the ball as kids.

"Memories keep flooding back and that's what I will be holding forever close to my heart. Rest in peace Sir Garfield. You will stay eternally in our hearts."

MORE: Sobers to Yuvraj: Every batter who has hit Six Sixes in an over

Sourav Ganguly termed his death an "irreplaceable loss" and wrote on X: "His skills in that generation was a yardstick for many to judge there own talent .. one of the rarest ..May his soul rest in peace."

Brian Lara called him the greatest player the sport has produced and extended condolences to his family.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "Our greatest player has left us. My deepest condolences to every member of his family who stood by him and gave him the strength he needed when he needed it most. May they find comfort and peace during this incredibly difficult time. Rest easy, legend. Your legacy will never be forgotten."

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Ravi Shastri labelled him his personal hero and inspiration, praising his all-round contribution across his era. 

He said: "To the Greatest cricketer of my lifetime. Just watching era and contribution bar none. My hero. My inspiration. God bless your soul Sir Gary 🙏."

Virender Sehwag pointed out how the word "all-rounder" almost seemed custom-built for Sobers.

He wrote: "'All-rounder' shabd bahut logon ke liye use hota hai. Sir Garfield Sobers ke liye yeh shabd banaya gaya tha. Fast bowling, Spin bowling, left handed poetic batting. Ek over mein Six sixes,  365 not out, sirf 23 saal ki umar mein. Way ahead of his times. 

"Is IPL era mein hote, toh sabse expensive player hote , bina shaq. Cricket ne apna sabse complete khiladi khoya hai. Condolences to his family and well-wishers all over the world.

(The word 'all-rounder' is used for many people. This word was coined for Sir Garfield Sobers. Fast bowling, spin bowling, left-handed poetic batting. Six sixes in an over, 365 not out, at the age of just 23. He was ahead of his times. "Had he been in this IPL era, he would have been the most expensive player, without a doubt. Cricket has lost its most complete player. Condolences to his family and well-wishers all over the world.)"

Meanwhile, former pacer Ian Bishop reflected on Sobers' generosity and the pride he brought to Barbados and the wider Caribbean through his performances and leadership.

He wrote: "Like many others, my heart is heavy at the passing of the great Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers. He was always generous with his time and advice to me. He elevated Barbados and the West Indian Islands to a place of great and unprecedented standing in the world through his performance and leadership on the field. Sad he is no longer with us, but very happy that he came. We have memories of him that stand this game in good stead. RIP."

Indian star Yuvraj Singh hailed his six-hitting ability and wrote: "The first man to hit six sixes in an over, Sir Garfield Sobers showed the world that there were no limits to greatness. It is difficult to put into words what he meant to the world of cricket. He did things on the field that most could only dream of, and he did it with grace, humility and joy. Every generation has looked up to him, and every generation to come will continue to do the same. Rest in peace, Sir. Your legacy is forever. 🙏."

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Sobers: A standard that may never be matched again

Sobers didn't just play cricket; he redefined what one man could do across every discipline the game offers. In an era without specialised roles, he batted like a genius, bowled three different styles with equal comfort, and fielded like an athlete decades ahead of his time.

Modern cricket, for all its data and specialisation, has never produced anyone who threatens his blueprint of complete mastery. 

Sobers belonged to all of cricket, not just the Caribbean, and his passing rightly feels like a shared loss for the entire cricketing world. It is a fitting tribute to a man who gave the game more dimensions than anyone before or since.

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