Sanga to call it a day after second Test against India
Kumar Sangakkara arguably the best cricketer that Sri Lanka ever produced finally broke his silence by announcing his retirement from the game, last evening. At the end of the third day’s play in the second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan Sangakkara met the press to talk about his decision. He said “I was looking to take leave from the game after the last World Cup, but as a result of a discussion that I had with the last selection committee I agreed to play in the two series against Pakistan and India and my last International match for Sri Lanka will be the second Test match against India”
Are you hoping to enter politics? This was Sanga’s reply to journos - Pic by Amila Gamage
In all probability the match will be played at the P. Sara Oval. Elaborating on this Sangakkara said “I would have loved to play my last Test in Kandy in my home town, but, I agreed to play the first two Test matches only in each series, so the second Test against India is final”.
Earlier there was strong speculation that Sangakkara would retire from all forms of International cricket after the first Test match against India at Galle, but now it would be just a day after the Lankan general elections which is scheduled for August 17.
Speaking about how he visualizes Lankan cricket after him, Sangakkara said “I see a lot of talent in the dressing room. Still there a few guys who are over thirty years old, but the rest are pretty young. Yet I see the young lot does have the talent to take the Sri Lankan game forward. But, you got to be a bit patient with them. Turning around will take some time. Give them around ten months to a year, I am very confident that some of them will come up with the expected performances and even surprise you with their maturity”
Speaking about the inning that he rates as his best he said “I rate the 98 runs that I scored against South Africa as very significant and the best. I was very raw at that time and was only in my second series. In this particular match I was forced to open the inning and I almost carried the bat. After that inning only I convinced myself that I could face up to any attack and hold my own. At that time South Africa possessed a very strong bowling line up.”
Speaking about the disappointments he said that he rates the World Cup final losses were the worst, but added “One must not let these setbacks get you down, one must learn to cast aside the disappointments and make fresh starts”. However the former Lankan skipper ruled out any speculation about him taking to politics “Even I have heard that I am supposed to contest a seat from Kalawewa or so, but, there is no basis in those stories, I do think that I possess the necessary qualifications to become a politician”.