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By:

Waleed Hussain

4 March 2025 at 2:34:30 pm

Special Bond With India

The cricketing world mourns the passing of Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, universally known as Sir Gary or Garry Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen. Born on July 28, 1936, in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sobers passed away today at the age of 89 (or thereabouts, depending on the exact timing). His death marks the end of an era for cricket, a sport he elevated through unparalleled skill, versatility, and charisma. Sobers was not just a player; he was a genius who could...

Special Bond With India

The cricketing world mourns the passing of Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, universally known as Sir Gary or Garry Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen. Born on July 28, 1936, in Bridgetown, Barbados, Sobers passed away today at the age of 89 (or thereabouts, depending on the exact timing). His death marks the end of an era for cricket, a sport he elevated through unparalleled skill, versatility, and charisma. Sobers was not just a player; he was a genius who could bat with elegance and power, bowl in multiple styles, field brilliantly, and lead with quiet authority. Sobers made his Test debut for the West Indies at just 17 against England in 1954. Over a 20-year international career spanning 93 Tests, he scored 8,032 runs at a remarkable average of 57.78, including 26 centuries, while claiming 235 wickets at 34.03 and taking 109 catches. In first-class cricket, his numbers were even more staggering: over 28,000 runs and more than 1,000 wickets. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 for his services to the game and later named one of Barbados’ National Heroes. Wisden honored him as one of the Cricketers of the Century. Don Bradman himself regarded Sobers as the finest all-round cricketer he had seen. His Best Performance Among Sobers’ many legendary feats, one stands tallest: his maiden Test century against Pakistan in Kingston in 1958. At the age of 21, he batted for over ten hours to score an unbeaten 365, breaking Len Hutton’s world record for the highest individual Test score (which stood until Brian Lara’s 375 in 1994). It was the first time a player converted a maiden Test ton into a triple century. In that series, he amassed 824 runs with three hundreds. He followed it up with another dominant tour of India in 1958-59, scoring 557 runs with three more centuries. Another iconic moment came in 1968 at Swansea, where he became the first batsman in first-class cricket to hit six sixes in a single over off Malcolm Nash. As captain, he led the West Indies to memorable series victories, including against Australia in 1965 and a 2-0 win in India in 1966-67. His 254 for the Rest of the World against Australia in 1971 was hailed by Bradman as one of the greatest innings ever seen in that country. Sobers’ ability to switch seamlessly between left-arm spin, fast-medium, and wrist-spin bowling, while dominating with the bat, made him a “five-in-one” cricketer. Love Affairs in His Career Sobers’ personal life, like his cricket, had its share of glamour and headlines. During the 1966-67 tour of India, he was briefly engaged to Bollywood actress Anju Mahendru. The relationship between the dashing West Indian captain and the Indian film star captured public imagination, blending cricket and celluloid romance. Though the engagement did not lead to marriage—reportedly due to family differences—the affair remains a colorful chapter in his life. In 1969, Sobers married Prudence “Pru” Kirby, an Australian, in a union that produced two sons, Matthew and Daniel, and an adopted daughter, Genevieve. The marriage ended in divorce in 1990, but it granted him dual Barbadian-Australian citizenship. Sobers was known for his zest for life off the field, including a love for golf and occasional high-stakes gambling, reflecting the same bold spirit he showed on the pitch. Connection to India Sobers shared a special bond with India and Indian cricket. His stellar 1958-59 tour showcased his mastery on Indian pitches, where he dismantled spinners like Subhash Gupte. He returned as captain in 1966-67, leading West Indies to a 2-0 series victory. Later series in the Caribbean saw competitive battles, including against a young Sunil Gavaskar. Indian fans admired his grace and sportsmanship. Sobers’ romance with Anju Mahendru further endeared him to Indian audiences, creating a cultural bridge. India honored his contributions, and he remained a revered figure in Indian cricket lore. Sir Gary Sobers transcended statistics. He played with joy and fearlessness, inspiring generations of all-rounders like Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, and Jacques Kallis. His legacy endures in the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and countless young cricketers who emulate his versatility. As the world of cricket bids farewell, we celebrate a life lived at the crease with unmatched brilliance. Rest in peace, Sir Gary. Your bat and ball will forever echo in the annals of the sport. (The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)

India working on logistics of Tahawwur Rana's extradition

  • PTI
  • Feb 14, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 18, 2025

Tahawwur Rana

Washington: India is working on the logistics of Tahawwur Rana's surrender and extradition from the US, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said, as President Donald Trump announced that his administration has given the go-ahead to extradite the 26/11 terror attack accused “to face justice".

“This is an issue on which the US authorities have taken very clear decisions. I think you've seen the President announce it himself from the White House podium" the decision of the US to extradite Rana, Misri said at a press conference here on Thursday.


During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil" Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, "to face justice in India”.


In response to a question by PTI on the timeframe by when Rana will be extradited to India, Misri said: "We are working on the logistics of his surrender and extradition to India. There are a few final steps to be completed. The two sides are in touch on this particular issue.”


The India-US joint statement issued during the Prime Minister's visit to the US notes that Modi and Trump reaffirmed that the global scourge of terrorism must be fought and terrorist safe havens eliminated from every corner of the world.

“They committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in order to prevent heinous acts like the attacks in Mumbai on 26/11 and the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021," the joint statement said.


“Recognising a shared desire to bring to justice those who would harm our citizens, the US announced that the extradition to India of Tahawwur Rana has been approved," it said.


The leaders further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks.

"The leaders also pledged to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors,” the joint statement added.

Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is currently lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles. He is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks.

Speaking at the joint press meet, Trump said "Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters and very evil people of the world, and having to do with the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, to face justice in India. So, he is going back to India to face justice."


The extradition of Rana was cleared by the US Supreme Court in January as it rejected his review petition in the case.


India last month said it was working with American authorities for the early extradition of Rana.


"The US Supreme Court on January 21 declined to hear a petition from the accused. We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.


In November 2012, Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman among the Pakistani group, was hanged to death in Yerawada Jail in Pune.

-PTI

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