Cricket world reacts to the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers
Tributes poured in from around the world following the death of West Indies great Sir Garry Sobers.
Mr. Jay Shah, ICC Chairman, said: "Today, the cricket world has lost one of its greatest icons. Sir Garfield Sobers was not only the finest all-rounder the game has ever known, but one of the greatest cricketers in history.
"His remarkable ability to influence a match in every facet of the game set him apart from his peers.
"Whether with the bat, ball or in the field, Sir Garfield embodied excellence, and his achievements continue to define the standard to which generations of cricketers aspire.
"Beyond his extraordinary accomplishments on the field, Sir Garfield was a true ambassador for our sport. His legacy extends far beyond records and statistics. He helped shape the identity of West Indies cricket during one of its most celebrated eras and leaves behind an indelible mark on the history of our game."
India great Sachin Tendulkar labelled Sir Sobers as the 'one and only' and recollected some core memories with the West Indies icon over the years.
The current West Indies team observed a minute's silence in the memory of Sir Sobers, paying tribute to his legacy and offering condolences to his friends and family.
West Indies great and a voice of the game, Ian Bishop praised the legacy that Sir Sobers leaves behind.
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…
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) July 17, 2026
West Indies legend Brian Lara reiterated that Sir Sobers' achievements will live long in the annals of cricket.
Cricket has lost one of its greatest. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield Sobers. Your legacy will inspire generations.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 18, 2026
Former India opener Virender Sehwag described the icon as being far ahead of his time.
India legend Harbhajan Singh labelled it as a big loss for the world of cricket.
Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo also paid tribute to the legacy of Sir Sobers.
1983 Cricket World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth recollected an experience watching Sir Sobers from 1967 that left a lasting impact on him.
An irreplaceable loss to the cricket world .. 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 pic.twitter.com/sHJhGJ50lc
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) July 17, 2026
To the Greatest cricketer of my lifetime. Just watching era and contribution bar none. My hero. My inspiration. God bless your soul Sir Gary 🙏
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) July 17, 2026
England's 2005 Ashes winning skipper Michael Vaughan recounted the many times he'd crossed paths with the cricketing legend.
India legend Yuvraj Singh said Sir Sobers will remain an inspiration for generations to come.
Sri Lanka's Angelo Matthews called Sir Sobers as not just one of the game's greatest, but someone who set the benchmark for greatness in the game.