Cricket fraternity wishes Kumar Sangakkara a happy retirement

COLOMBO: The cricketing fraternity today showered praise on Sri Lankan cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara after he bid a tearful adieu to his international career here.

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.

Veteran Indian pacer Zaheer Khan, whom Sangakkara admitted to be the most challenging bowler he faced in his 15-year-long illustrious career, tweeted his wishes for the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman.

"Congratulations @KumarSanga2 on a glorious cricket career !! Wish u & ur family very best for all ur future endeavours....," Zaheer wrote on his twitter handle.

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, who was part of the emotional farewell at the P Sara Oval, said tweeted a message for the retired cricketer.

"Very organised & neat with his cricket was Kumar Sangakkara,for someone who is extremely messy at home according to his wife, Yehali.," Manjrekar wrote on twitter.

Captain Angelo Mathews also praised the legend, but expressed his disappointment of not being able to give him a winning send-off.

"gutted that we couldn't send @KumarSanga2 with a win.what a legend he is an most importantly a great gentleman.thanks 4 all the support," Mathews tweeted.

Sagakkara, 37, also thanked one and all for the lovely send-off and the wishes.

"Thank you for the wonderful farewell. I will miss the cricket. But my amazing wife and children await my innings with them. Time for family," Sangakkara wrote on his twitter page.