Sir Garfield Sobers dead at 89: Sachin, Kohli lead cricket's farewell
Synopsis
Sir Garfield Sobers — the man who hit six sixes in an over, held the Test batting record for decades, and set the all-rounder standard no one has matched — died at 89 in Barbados. Sachin Tendulkar's tribute, recalling their last meeting in London, captured what the cricketing world lost: not just a record-holder, but a figure of rare grace.
Key Takeaways
Sir Garfield Sobers passed away at 89 in Barbados on 18 July .
Sachin Tendulkar shared personal memories on X, calling Sobers 'the One and Only' and recalling their last meeting in London .
Virat Kohli and former India captain Mithali Raj also paid tribute, describing his legacy as an inspiration to generations.
Shardul Thakur noted that Sunil Gavaskar had spoken glowingly about Sobers just 10 days before his passing.
Sobers held the then world-record Test score of an unbeaten 365 and was the first cricketer to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket.
Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in the history of the sport, passed away at the age of 89 in Barbados on 18 July. The West Indies icon's death prompted an outpouring of grief from across the cricketing world, with Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli among the first to pay tribute to a man whose records and character left an indelible mark on the game.
Tendulkar's personal farewell
Sachin Tendulkar, who shared a bond with Sobers spanning more than two decades, posted a heartfelt tribute on X, recalling moments that defined their friendship. 'It's incredibly tough to process that Sir Garry is gone. I've 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, to his warm words when he felicitated me for the century milestone,' Tendulkar wrote.
The Indian batting great added: 'He was always so exceptionally gracious. My mind keeps going back to 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'd ever meet. He truly was the 'One and Only'. Going to miss him immensely. Rest in peace, Sir Garry.'
Sobers had presented Tendulkar with the Player of the Tournament award after India's runner-up finish at the 2003 ODI World Cup and later honoured him when the Indian became the first batter to reach 100 international centuries. Tendulkar's tribute underlined not only Sobers' towering stature in cricket but also the warmth and humility that defined him away from the field.
Kohli, Mithali Raj and the wider fraternity respond
Virat Kohli described Sobers as one of cricket's greatest ever, writing: 'Cricket has lost one of its greatest. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield Sobers. Your legacy will inspire generations.'
Former India captain Mithali Raj extended condolences to Sobers' family and the broader cricket community. 'Deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers. A true legend whose legacy will inspire generations. Heartfelt condolences to his family and the cricketing fraternity. Rest in peace,' she said.
India all-rounder Shardul Thakur recalled a recent conversation with batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, noting that Gavaskar had spoken glowingly about Sobers barely ten days before the news broke. 'It was hardly 10 days back that I had a conversation with Sunil Gavaskar sir, he mentioned and spoke highly about Sir Garfield Sobers and sadly we lost him last night. Rest in peace sir Garfield Sobers the first man ever to hit six sixes in an over,' Thakur said.
Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews described Sobers as the benchmark for excellence in cricket, writing: 'Sir Garfield Sobers wasn't just one of cricket's greatest — he set the standard for greatness. An icon whose talent, humility, and legacy have inspired generations. Thank you, Sir Garry, for everything you've given to our beautiful game.'
A legacy that redefined all-round excellence
Sobers' career statistics alone tell only part of the story. He held the then world-record Test score of an unbeaten 365 and became the first cricketer in history to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket — a feat that still resonates more than five decades later. As a bowler, he was equally formidable, capable of seam, swing, and spin. His fielding set standards that contemporaries struggled to match.
Notably, Sobers captained the West Indies during one of the most celebrated eras in Caribbean cricket, and his influence on the game extended well beyond his playing days through mentorship, advocacy, and his enduring presence at marquee cricket events.
What his passing means for cricket
The death of Sobers closes a chapter on a generation of cricketers who built the modern game from the ground up. His passing comes at a moment when the sport is grappling with questions of format, tradition, and legacy — making tributes to figures like Sobers feel especially pointed. The cricketing world will now look to honour his memory through the values he embodied: versatility, grace, and an uncompromising standard of excellence.
Point of View
The generation that invented modern all-round cricket has no surviving peer. What mainstream coverage will underplay is the institutional gap: Sobers was not merely a record-holder but an active presence at cricket events who connected the pre-television era to the present. That bridge is now gone, and the game will feel it.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did Sir Garfield Sobers die?
Sir Garfield Sobers passed away at the age of 89 in Barbados on 18 July. He was widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history.
What records did Sir Garfield Sobers hold?
Sobers held the then world-record Test score of an unbeaten 365 and was the first cricketer to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket. He was also celebrated for his ability to bat, bowl in multiple styles, and field at an elite level.
What did Sachin Tendulkar say about Sir Garfield Sobers?
Tendulkar posted a tribute on X recalling Sobers handing him the Player of the Tournament trophy at the 2003 ODI World Cup and honouring him for his 100th international century. He described their final meeting in London as a moment he now treasures and called Sobers 'the One and Only.'
How did Virat Kohli and other Indian cricketers react?
Virat Kohli wrote that 'cricket has lost one of its greatest' and said Sobers' legacy would inspire generations. Mithali Raj expressed deep sadness and extended condolences to his family, while Shardul Thakur recalled that Sunil Gavaskar had praised Sobers just 10 days before his death.
Why is Sir Garfield Sobers considered cricket's greatest all-rounder?
Sobers combined elite batting, versatile bowling — capable of seam, swing, and spin — and exceptional fielding across a long Test career. His world-record 365 not out and the historic six sixes in one over are landmarks that have stood for decades, and no all-rounder since has matched his combined impact across all three disciplines.
