Sangakkara announces retirement from Test after India Series

The legendary Sri Lankan player Kumar Sangakkara has announced that he would retire from Test cricket after the second Test match of India-Sri Lanka Test series scheduled in August 2015. He will also not play the third Test match of the ongoing Pakistan Test series and the two Test matches against India would be his last. Sangakkara is already retired from ODI format of Cricket.

Breaking the long silence about the rumors of retirement, the Sri Lankan player confirmed the news in a special press conference held after the third day's play of the second Test of Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2015. Sangakkara also mentioned that he was intended to retire from all forms of cricket after the 2015 Cricket World Cup, but was convinced to play 4 more Test matches by the Sri Lanka's previous selection committee.

"I've had the time of my life playing for Sri Lanka. It has been a great honour. Growing up as a kid, watching players like Aravinda de Silva play for Sri Lanka and then one day to get a chance to play with them. I've thoroughly enjoyed playing every format, but donning the whites for Sri Lanka has been a different feeling altogether. There have been so many ups and downs. I've had bad days as well but the good times outweigh the bad. I know, it's disappointing to say goodbye to something you've done for over 15 years, but I know this is the right time to leave," Sangakkara said.

Sangakkara has been one of the best ODI & Test players of all-time. He currently holds the third position in the ICC Test Batsmen Ranking and second in the ICC ODI Batsmen Ranking. His list of records is quite  long. He debuted his Test career in 2000 and in just 15 years, he managed to score 12271 Test runs, which is also the fifth-highest of all-time in Test cricket format.

The 37-years old Sri Lankan player hit 38 Test centuries that include 11 double-centuries, just one behind Sir Don Bradman's record of 12.

Sangakkara, during the announcement, indicated that he never played for personal records, but always for the country. "If that (personal milestones) is the only driving ambition, then it is time to say 'thank you very much'. I've prided myself in doing well individually, but I should be able to look at my teammates in the eye and say I really went out there for the country and not individual records."

We wish the great player Kumar Sangakkara a very well and successful future ahead.