Cricket has lost one of its greats': Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar lead tri...

Indian cricketers, including Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli led the way as the entire cricket fraternity took to social media to pay their homage to the great West Indian all-rounder, Sir Garfield Sobers. The cricket legend passed away on Saturday (July 18), at the age of 89.

A former cricketer from Barbados, Sir Sobers represented West Indies between 1954 and 1974 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time to have played the game. Many of his fans and cricket lovers in general around the world regard him as the greatest all-rounder ever.

Paying respect to the great West Indian, Virat Kohli took to X and wrote an emotional note. “Cricket has lost one of its greatest. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield Sobers. Your legacy will inspire generations.”

Sachin Tendulkar: “It’s incredibly tough to process that Sir Garry is gone”

Indian legend, Sachin Tendulkar paid a heartwarming tribute and recalled a special memory. “It is incredibly tough to process that Sir Garry is gone. I have been looking back at the memories we shared over the years, from him handing me the player of the tournament trophy at the 2003 World Cup trophy, to his warm words when he felicitated me for the century milestone. He was always so exceptionally gracious,” he wrote on X.

“My mind keeps going back to the time when we caught up in London a few years ago. We were just sitting and chatting about the game, and it hits me so hard right now that it was the last time we would ever meet. He was truly the ‘One an Only’. Going to miss him immensely. Rest in Peace, Sir Garry.” he added.

The 1983 World Cup winning captain, Kapil Dev also paid his tribute to Sobers. While speaking to the PTI, Dev said, “Anyone who knows cricket has to know about him. He is one of the finest cricket players ever to be in this world. The way he played his cricket, people like me got inspired, yes it is a sad day, he is no more, but he has given so much cricket and his talent and his ability which we can follow through our lives.”

Another former Indian cricketer and captain, Mohammad Azharuddin paid condolence to Sober’s family and said, “Cricket has lost one of its greatest ever icons.” He further said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game. His unmatched brilliance as an all-rounder, remarkable sportsmanship, and enduring legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers around the world. My heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and the global cricket fraternity. Rest in pace Gary Sobers. Your legacy will live on forever.”

Garry Sobers was a left-handed batter and bowler. His versatility allowed him to bowl a variety of left-arm deliveries from spin to fast-medium. He was also an excellent fielder, usually fielded close to the wicket at short-leg, silly mid-off or slips and has taken some incredible catches in his career.