Sangakkara spent a total of 97 Tests and 812 days as the No. 1 Test batsman in the world and was last number-one in December 2014, before losing the top spot to AB de Villiers. Naman Ojha was called in as a replacement for him.
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With Mahela Jayawardene quitting Test cricket a year ago, Sri Lanka find themselves short of experience.
“We need to find a way to counter-attack him”.
However, the former left-hander, a trend-setter in modern-day ODI batting, felt that Sri Lankan batting line-up has some talented batsmen who need to step up in order to take the side forward following the departures of the famed trinity.
Michael Clarke, who like Rogers retired following the fifth Test, finishes his career in 25th place on the batting rankings at 94th on the bowling rankings. “And it was impressive to see how India came back in the second Test. They again proved stronger”. They are rebuilding under Virat Kohli and I like their aggressive brand of cricket.
India, who have not won a Test series on the island since 1993, will be without the injured trio of regular openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, plus wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.
In the ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers, Australia’s Mitchell Johnson climbed two places to sixth after recording match figures of four for 86 runs in London. “It is a commendable effort by the team to regroup so soon after Galle and put up a show like this”, he said. Also they bowled well to get Sri Lanka out to about 300 runs. Vaas praised India on persisting with their five-bowler theory after the first loss. He said the series has witnessed some very good spinners like Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Rangana Herath in action, making it hard for the batsmen. “Even in the tour of Australia, he was more aggressive with the ball“, Kohli said.
“Captaincy is not an easy thing”.
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“Kumar Sangakkara accepted the jersey from Kohli and later, in his farewell speech, thanked the Indian skipper and the team “(Tear-eyed Sangakkara bows out)” To Virat (Kohli) and the Indian team, thank you for everything, your kindness and all the words. “There is one more Test to play and I am sure we will be as focused and positive as we were in this match”. “And the situation demands, there is nothing wrong about it”.
