Sachin Tendulkar leads the wishing list for retiring Sri Lanka batting legend Kumar Sangakkara
Colombo: Iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday joined the cricket world to applaud retiring Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara on his illustrious career and also welcomed him to the club of former players.
"Well played @KumarSanga2. You have been a terrific ambassador for the game & a thorough gentleman. Warm welcome to the club of the Retired!" Tendulkar wrote on his Twitter handle.
Well played @KumarSanga2. You have been a terrific ambassador for the game & a thorough gentleman. Warm welcome to the club of the Retired!
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 23, 2015Sangakkara, who scored 18 in his final innings, on Sunday walked out to bat for one final time in international cricket amid a standing ovation at the P Sara Oval and guard of honour by the visiting Indian team here in the second Test match between the two neighbours.
Sangakkara's long-time teammate and captain Mahela Jayawardene said he was proud for the legendary cricketer. "It wasn't to be in this match but what he was for SL cricket is some thing that you can't take away. Very proud of you mate. @KumarSanga2," wrote Mahela.
It wasn't to be in this match but what he was for SL cricket is some thing that you can't take away. Very proud of you mate. @KumarSanga2
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 23, 2015Former India batsman VVS Laxman also extended his best wishes to the Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman. "Congrats @KumarSanga2 on an outstanding career. It was a pleasure playing against & with you mate. Have a fulfilling retired life:) #Legend," Laxman tweeted.
Congrats @KumarSanga2 on an outstanding career. It was a pleasure playing against & with you mate.Have a fulfilling retired life:) #Legend
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 23, 2015Suresh Raina thanked Sangakkara for all the memories during his 15-year-long illustrious career. "A gentleman beyond the game well played @KumarSanga2 you are legend thank u for memories," said Raina.
A gentleman beyond the game well played @KumarSanga2 you are legend thank u for memories
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) August 23, 2015Rohit Sharma lauded by tweeting: "An outstanding career of an outstanding player comes to an end. Well played Kumar Sangakkara."
An outstanding career of an outstanding player comes to an end. Well played Kumar Sangakkara. @KumarSanga2
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) August 23, 2015Spinner Harbhajan Singh wished him the very best for his second innings. "Well done @KumarSanga2 for fantastic 17 years of international cricket!! All the best for your 2nd inn with ur family, friends, loved ones."
Well done @KumarSanga2 for fantastic 17 years of international cricket!!All the best for your 2nd inn with ur family,friends,loved ones
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) August 23, 2015The International Cricket Council (ICC) wrote on its twitter page: "12,400 Test runs, 14,234 ODI runs, 1,382 T20I runs, 1 incredible career - Thank you @KumarSanga2 #ThankYouSanga."
12,400 Test runs, 14,234 ODI runs, 1,382 T20I runs, 1 incredible career - Thank you @KumarSanga2 #ThankYouSanga pic.twitter.com/BCKUy9kTAi
— ICC (@ICC) August 23, 2015Responding to his fellow cricketers' tweets, Sangakkara said it was privilege to play for the country. "Thank you for all the love. Been my privilege to play for my country and in front of all the fans," tweeted Sangakkara.
Thank you for all the love. Been my privilege to play for my country and in front of all the fans.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) August 23, 2015Here are some other wishes from famous personalities:Thank you @KumarSanga2 you leave the game as one of the greatest. #SangaSignsOff
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 23, 2015@KumarSanga2 wot my man! I know u gotta do wot u gotta do & u hav done much more than most....but will miss u in front & behind the stumps.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 23, 2015Cricketers and fans across the world will miss @KumarSanga2. Thanks for the memories and thank you for being a true champion and gentleman.
— Wayne Parnell (@WayneParnell) August 23, 2015Well done on an amazing career @KumarSanga2 you should be very proud of all you have achieved. Enjoy the rest. pic.twitter.com/lj2BnEkiQK
— Damien Martyn (@damienmartyn) August 23, 2015The end of one of the greatest careers of all time. Thank You @KumarSanga2 for enrichening our game. Extraordinary numbers. Bigger legacy.
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) August 23, 2015The End. Sri Lanka's greatest ever cricketer out for 18 in his last Test innings. Thank you @KumarSanga2. #Legend pic.twitter.com/uOKiQaLHU8
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 23, 2015@KumarSanga2 You have been a magnificent cricketer!! #wellplayed #legend #SLvIND
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) August 23, 2015The End of a golden era. ...The final walk back... well done @KumarSanga2 It's gone very quite here in Colombo pic.twitter.com/eSlEmqKzNe
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) August 23, 2015Hats off to 2 very big names in cricket.They have inspired,entertained & it's been a real pleasure watching them. @KumarSanga2 @MClarke23
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) August 23, 2015@KumarSanga2 one of my all time favourite is retiring,sad time for all of us. Wish you good luck.#wewillmisssanga pic.twitter.com/J3I3JRwxaY
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) August 20, 2015#ThankYouSanga (@KumarSanga2) for your contributions to cricket in last 15 years. @OfficialSLC. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/1qHMlIsoFi
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) August 20, 2015Two fine players leave today. @MClarke23 entered with a bang, @KumarSanga2 worked his way into our mind. Both enriched our game.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 20, 2015