'Your legacy will inspire generations' - Virat Kohli pens heartwarming tribute for the late Sir Garfield Sobers

India batter Virat Kohli took to social media to share a heartfelt message to the late West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Sobers passed away in Barbados on July 17, at the age of 89.

Kohli called Sobers one of the greats and claimed that his illustrious career will continue to inspire the young generations for years to come. 

"Cricket has lost one of its greatest. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield Sobers. Your legacy will inspire generations," Virat Kohli posted on X (formerly Twitter). 

It is worth mentioning that Kohli and Sobers have met several times in the past. Most recently, the pair crossed paths during India's tour to the West Indies in 2023. Ahead of the first Test between the two teams in Barbados, Sobers attended India's training session with his wife. At the end of the session, Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, met the couple, exchanged a few words and even clicked pictures. 

Garry Sobers, as he is more affectionately called, will always carry a lasting legacy in international cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named the Men's Cricketer of the Year award in his honour. First awarded in 2004 to India's Rahul Dravid, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy has been given to some of the greats of the game, including Kohli.

The 37-year-old has won the award twice, in 2017 and 2018, the joint-most alongside Australia's Mitchell Johnson and Ricky Ponting. It is also worth noting that the right-handed batter was honoured with the Sir Garfield Sobers Award in December 2020 as the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Decade. 

As things stand, Kohli is part of the India squad touring England for a three-match ODI series, which is currently level 1-1.