Tributes flow at IPL match while New York Times writes obituary for cricket icon
Benaud mourned in India, UK and USA
Richie Benaud's passing has been mourned by cricket lovers right around the world, including in India, the United Kingdom and the United States.
In the Indian city of Pune, players of both Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals observed a minute’s silence before the start of their Indian Premier League match.
On a day of great sadness for Australian cricket, it was somewhat fitting that both sides were captained by Australians; Steve Smith led the Royals in place of the injured Shane Watson, while George Bailey captained Kings XI.
All five Aussies involved in the match - Smith, Bailey, James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson - wore black armbands to honour the former Test captain.
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Kings Punjab XI players observe a minute of silence // BCCI
Johnson labelled Benaud "a legend of the game (and) a legend of commentary", while Smith offered his condolences to Benaud's friends and family.
"I was extremely sad to wake up this morning and hear about the loss of Richie Benaud," Smith said.
"He was ... the voice of cricket and the person you always wanted to hear on the TV.
"He was a great man and from what I heard he had a very good cricket brain. It's very sad to see him go."
Commentator Harsha Bhogle noted during the broadcast that he "almost can't imagine thinking of (Benaud) in the past tense."
A look at Benaud's life in cricket
The impact of Benaud's passing was even felt by those in non-cricket playing nations, with The New York Times publishing a fitting tribute to the cricket icon.
In the 946-word piece, Huw Richards wrote that "the path from the cricket field to the commentary box is well trod, but never with greater distinction than by Richie Benaud".
Richie Benaud, Cricket’s Best-Known Commentator, Dies at 84 http://t.co/mByyuNqG2A
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 10, 2015
In Nepal, where the country's cricket association will today hold a tribute match for Phillip Hughes, it was announced that players will observe 63 seconds of silence in honour of both Hughes and Benaud.
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The number 63 is significant for both men; Hughes was on 63 not out when he was struck on the neck during a match last November, while Benaud played 63 Tests for Australia.
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Fans leave flowers at the statue of Benaud at the SCG // Getty
In England, the flag on the North Clock Tower at Lord's flew at half-mast in tribute to Benaud, and a blazer that the Australian donated to the Marleybone Cricket Club has been put on display.
English broadcaster Jonathan Agnew, a former colleague of Benaud's, paid the Australian what he said was the ultimate compliment by claiming him as a Brit.
"He was the face of my childhood and for millions of others," Agnew wrote in his column for the BBC.
"He was cricket on the TV in England. He was our Richie - and that is the ultimate compliment for an Australian.
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Flags on the SCG Members' Stand fly at half mast // Getty
"For my generation of commentators coming through, he was the man.
"If you speak to any broadcaster from any sport, they will point to Richie as the standard-bearer.
"He had this unique style - the choice of words, how he delivered them, the way he looked - and it all came together to make him one of the most recognisable people on television."