Kumar Sangakkara to retire after 1st Test against India at Galle

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara will retire from Test cricket after playing the first Test against India in August.

“The service that Sangakkara has rendered to the game of cricket in this country is inexplicable. He took the game and Sri Lanka cricket as a whole to a different aura, on and off the field, so it is fitting that we reciprocate that service with a fitting finale.”

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The board is planning a grand event, also marking Sangakkara’s 15 years of service, to bid the southpaw a proper goodbye.

“Fittingly we are playing India in that game and we know there is a huge following for Sangakkara among the billion plus people in that country. So it’s going to be a mega event. We are hoping to invite several dignitaries from both countries to be a part of this event – sad but, every good thing must come to an end,” Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee President Sidath Wettimuny was quoted as saying by Sunday Times.

“After his retirement SLC will not set him free. We are hoping to get him involved further by appointing him as one of our consultants”.

India will arrive in Sri Lanka in August and the first Test is scheduled to be played at Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 18 to 22.

The second Test match is from August 26 to 30 at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground and the third Test will be played from September 3 to 7 at Pallekelle.

Sangakkara made his Test debut against South in 2000 at Galle. Over 15 years, he has scored 12,203 runs and he is currently the No 1 Test batsman in the world.