According to former India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, Sir Garfield Sobers was “everything we dream of becoming when we first pick up a bat or a ball as a kid” and the best cricket player to have ever lived.
Sobers, who was only 11 days shy of turning 90, died on Friday at his Barbados home. He was widely considered the best all-rounder in cricket history.
With his skill as a batter, bowler, and fielder, he redefined the boundaries of the sport during 93 Test matches for the West Indies.
“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,” Gavaskar said.
“Memories keep flooding back and that’s what I will hold close to my heart forever. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield. You will stay eternally in our hearts,” he added.
Sobers was a devastating left-handed batter who was equally adept at bowling left-arm fast-medium, orthodox spin, and wrist spin. In addition, he was one of the best close catchers in the history of the game and a superb fielder.
