Cricket mourns the loss of Sir Garfield Sobers

The cricket world united in grief following the death of Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as the finest all‑rounder in the sport’s history. ICC Chairman Jay Shah hailed him as an incomparable figure whose mastery with bat, ball and in the field set enduring standards for generations. Sachin Tendulkar remembered Sobers as the “one and only,” while current West Indies players observed a minute’s silence in his honour.

Tributes flowed from across eras: Ian Bishop praised his monumental legacy, Brian Lara highlighted his timeless achievements, and Virender Sehwag called him far ahead of his time. Harbhajan Singh described the news as a profound loss for cricket, with Dwayne Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul also offering heartfelt messages. Krishnamachari Srikkanth recalled witnessing Sobers in 1967, an experience that shaped his admiration. Michael Vaughan reflected on their many encounters, and Yuvraj Singh and Angelo Mathews emphasised Sobers’ lasting influence and benchmark for greatness.