Virat Kohli mourns Sir Garfield Sobers: Full tribute message

The former Indian captain, Virat Kohli, has led the way with an emotional and touching tribute as the cricketing world mourned the death of the great Sir Garfield Sobers on July 18. The former West Indies spin all-rounder passed away at the age of 89, which was confirmed by Cricket West Indies on their official X handle.

Kohli is currently in England, featuring in the ongoing three-match ODI series. After a failure in the opening game at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the right-handed batter celebrated a half-century in the second ODI clash at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

"Cricket has lost one of its greatest" — Virat Kohli's full X post mourning Sir Garfield Sobers

Kohli penned an emotional message for the former legendary batter, saying that cricket lost one of its greatest talents and his legacy would inspire many others. The Delhi-born shared a special bond with Sobers as the West Indies legend waited to meet him on the field during India’s tour in the Caribbean in 2023.

“Cricket has lost one of its greatest. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield Sobers. Your legacy will inspire generations.” Kohli wrote on his X account (formerly known as Twitter). In 2016, he posted an image of them together and revealed how he was blessed to talk to the WI legend.

Another former Indian batter, Sachin Tendulkar, paid his respects to the legendary all-rounder, recalling some of the memories they shared together.

“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. He was always so exceptionally gracious.” Tendulkar added on X.

**93 Tests, 8,032 runs, one 365* — Inside Sir Garfield Sobers' legendary career that redefined all-round cricket**

Sobers is currently the fourth-leading run-getter in Tests for the West Indies. The left-handed batter smashed 8032 runs in 160 innings of the longest format at an average of 57.78 and a strike rate of 53.58 with the help of 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries, at the best score of unbeaten 365 runs against Pakistan.

In the bowling department, the all-rounder has bagged 235 wickets in 159 innings to be eighth on the list of leading wicket-takers in the longest format of the game. He maintained an average of 34.03 and a strike rate of 91.91 with six five-wicket hauls at the best bowling figures of 6/73.