Mathews: Disappointed we didn’t win it for Sanga

A fairytale ending alluded, Sangakkara in his swansong after Sri Lanka suffered an embarrassing 278-run loss to India as the visitor’s levelled the three-match series at 1-1. “The idea is to have Pujara open with Rahul since it’s only one Test. He’s done it in the past and I’m confident he can do it in the next Test“, Virat Kohli said in the press conference after the Colombo Test win.

“Absolutely, I am delighted”.

“I think the declaration came at the right time”. If we had done it for one more session in Galle. “So thank you “amma” [mother] and “apachchi” [father]”, Sangakkara said, fighting back tears, as fans cheered and clapped.

For India, it was Ajinkya Rahane who silenced his critics with a fine century. It’s unfortunate that Saha had to miss out with injury but I am very happy to take over the gloves.

In the end, the Indian skipper reaffirmed his faith in this young team and highlighted its ability to be flexible as a big asset going into a series-deciding match. The hosts still need 283 runs for victory after R Ashwin (5-42) took his second five-wicket haul to rattle the hosts’ batting order. He has been batting well and he was a key wicket for us. Everyone apart from Stuart [Binny] bowled today. With a four each off Ishant and Ashwin, he succeeded to a certain extent before misreading an arm ball from Ashwin that bowled him off his pads. “Lucky to have played in the same era as you”, Kohli said in his thank you letter to Sangakkara, according to NDTV Sports. “And I just want to congratulate Kumar again on a wonderful career”.

Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara said a tearful farewell to worldwide cricket Monday and was immediately offered the post of the island’s top envoy in Britain, where he plays county cricket.

Not many aren’t aware, but this is India’s first Test victory since their historic win at Lord’s previous year.

Sharma was charged with breaching provisions of the players’ code of conduct which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his dismissal”, said the global Cricket Council (ICC) in a statement.

Coming in to bat after the fall of Kaushal Silva in the third over and Sri Lanka given an imposing 413 target, the stage was set for Sangakkara to take his team home one last time.