The world of sports is deeply mourning the sad demise of Sir Garfield Sobers at the age of 89. A true colossus, he redefined cricket as its ultimate multi-dimensional superstar. Reflecting on this monumental loss, India's legendary 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev spoke explicitly with the Press Trust of India (PTI) to share his profound grief. In his heartfelt tribute, Kapil Dev emphasized Sobers' unparalleled dominance across every aspect of the game, stating, "Anyone who knows about cricket has to know about him, he is one of the finest cricketer ever to be born in this World. The way he played his cricket, people like me got inspired, yes it is a sad day, he is no more, but he has given us so much cricket and his talent and his ability which we can follow through our lives."
Kapil further expanded on how Sobers stood completely alone in his league, breaking coaching conventions and serving as cricket's preeminent entertainer. He added, "I don't think anybody can come close to him, the way he played batting, bowling, fast bowling, spin bowling, fielding. Everything, he had the ability and the knack for entertaining. At the end of the day, many cricketers will emerge, but very few will be true entertainers."
Over a glittering 20-year career spanning 93 Test matches, the Barbadian icon amassed 8,032 runs at a stunning average of 57.78 and took 235 wickets. His enduring legacy, including a historic 365* run record and hitting six consecutive sixes in an over, will forever remain etched as the golden standard of all-round cricketing excellence.
"A week can change your life in golf": Kapil Dev backs India's Asian Games medal hopes
Kapil Dev, President of the Professional Golf Tour of India, stated that the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan will not be a "cakewalk" for Indian golfers. While speaking to ANI and PTI, the 1983 cricket World Cup-winning captain emphasized that bridging the gap with global standards requires exceptional focus and mental toughness.Refusing to take personal credit for the recent rise of Indian golf, he remarked, "I don't take any credit for their performance and I am just promoting it. It is everybody’s effort."
He specifically highlighted star Olympian Aditi Ashok, noting that she "needs to only focus" to convert her elite capabilities into a podium finish.Expressing deep confidence in the technical growth of the national contingent, Kapil Dev observed that modern Indian "boys and girls are coming upto the American and European level." He explained that subcontinental players possess the baseline skills to win, but success at major multi-sport events hinges heavily on managing performance pressure during short tournament windows. He confidently added, "Talent has never been the issue. All they need is one great week and a stronger mindset".
He praised the foundational support provided by the domestic DP World PGTI circuit, which gives young prospects critical tournament exposure to build confidence. Believing that momentum can flip instantly, he concluded with a strong message of hope, "A week can change your life in golf. If they can put everything together over those days, they can transform the medal tally. I hope they do well.”
