Published: Aug 25, 2015, 07:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 25, 2015, 07:58 PM (IST)
The world cricket bid an adieu farewell to Kumar Sangakkara on Sunday. Though India won the Test but the swansong didn’t get hampered by the result of the match. Sangakkara has served Sri Lankan cricket for 14 years and left behind a huge legacy. In his 134-Tests he scored 12,400 runs with a 57-plus average. It puts him fifth in the list of highest Test run scorers. He has been projected as the most influential cricketer Sri Lanka have ever produced. However, according to another Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan, he is “not the most influential, Kumar certainly was the most consistent.” READ: Chaminda Vaas: India’s rebuilding process is on right track under Virat Kohli
According to a report in NDTV, the legendary off-spinner said, “Arjuna made us believe in ourselves. He did it for two decades. We owe a lot to him. He helped us become a force in world cricket. He is definitely the most influential cricketer Sri Lanka ever produced. Kumar was a perfectionist. Coaches hated him because he would keep batting for two hours during nets. But I would reckon Mahela was the most talented we ever had. Aravinda and Sanath redefined the way cricket was played …very difficult to replace them.” READ: Mahela Jaywardene: Kumar Sangakkara has prepared well for retirement
Ranatunga was the only man who played Sri Lanka’s first and 100th Test, under him Sri Lanka won their first and only World Cup title. He had his influence outside the field as well. He defended Muralitharan throughout his career when his action came under scrutiny at various points in his career.
