Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to former Australia captain and legendary commentator Richie Benaud, who passed away in Sydney on Thursday.
"#RIPRichie Wonderful personality who was always warm and encouraging. Had great insights on the game...fondly remember our discussion on the art of leg spin along with Official @ShaneWarne in Sharjah. Last spoke to him late last year," tweeted Tendulkar.
"Was not well but full of enthusiasm. Great loss to the world of cricket. Heartfelt condolences to Richie's family and friends," he added.
Benaud, who was battling skin cancer, and had survived a major car accident in 2013, reportedly died peacefully in his sleep. He was 84.
The former cricketer, who was the first to score 2,000 Test runs and take 200 Test wickets, played 63 five-day matches in his career.
Benaud took 248 wickets at an average of 27.03 and scored 2201 runs at 24.45 per innings with 122 being his highest knock.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also saluted Benaud.
"It’s very sad news indeed about the passing away of Richie Benaud.
"Richie was not only a wonderful cricketer but the most-respected commentator all over the world. I learnt plenty from him in my first stint as a commentator for BBC way back in 1990. He taught me when to speak, when to pause and some of the subtleties of live TV commentary.
"If all of us could be as detached as Richie was during commentary then none of the home team bias would come through in the commentary.
It is an irreparable loss to this great game of ours," said Gavaskar.
Paying rich tribute to Benaud, India Test skipper Virat Kohli said the 84-year-old was one of the most popular voices on television.
"This is a very sad day in cricket, I came to know about this in the morning. For all the cricket lovers he's been an iconic player and commentator over the last many years," Kohli said on the legendary legspinner, who died this morning after a prolonged battle with skin cancer.
"People relate to him quite a bit. There are only a few voices in the commentary box that you listen and tell the names and he was among one of them," said Kohli.
