Tendulkar leads cricket world in lauding Sangakkara, Jayawardene

Friday, 20 March 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene SYDNEY (PTI): Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar led the cricketing world in applauding Sri Lankan veterans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who bowed out of ODIs on Wednesday after their team’s World Cup quarterfinal loss to South Africa. Both Jayawardene and Sangakkara had announced that the World Cup would be their final ODI assignment and much to the dismay of the Lankan fans, it ended on a disappointing note for the much celebrated duo with Sri Lanka losing by nine wickets to the Proteas. “Well done on glorious ODI careers @KumarSanga2 & @MahelaJay Being an integral part of the ODI side for so many years, it is difficult to imagine the side without the 2 of you. Wishing you the very best and will miss the 2 of you constructing the innings in coloured clothes,” Tendulkar tweeted. Sangakkara played a whopping 404 ODIs, scoring 14,234 runs at an average of 41.98. Jayawardene, on the other hand, amassed 12,650 runs from 448 ODIs at an average of 33.37. Tributes also poured in from other international stars with former South Africa captain Graeme Smith being among those who congratulated the two for their stellar international careers. “Congrats to @MahelaJay and @KumarSanga2 on incredible careers and what brilliant memories they gave us all,” tweeted Smith. “To @KumarSanga2 & @MahelaJay bad luck tonight but well done on your superb careers. Good luck and hope to see you both in the future!” added former Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore. Australian all-rounder Shane Watson also tweeted his appreciation for the veterans. “Sad to see two of the greats @MahelaJay @KumarSanga2 leave the one day game... #Quality #Class #Humility,” Watson wrote on his Twitter handle. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar lauded Sangakkara and Jayawardene while congratulating the South African for their first win in World Cup knockouts. “That’s it. SA are through to SF. Sad end of Mahela & Sanga’s ODI career. Finally SA wins a knockout game. Long jinx comes to an end. #SLvSA,” he tweeted. “Congrats to @MahelaJay and @KumarSanga2 for a wonderful one day careers. SL will find it difficult to fill the gap...too big a shoes...” added former India captain Anil Kumble. Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath also expressed disappointment at the two veterans quitting at a sour note. “Well played @OfficialCSA on a dominate win over @OfficialSLC Sad to see the legends @KumarSanga2 & @MahelaJay finish their one day careers,” he said. Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman wished Sangakkara and Jayawardene a happy post-retirement life. “Congrats to these 2 legends of the game. Was always a pleasure playing against and watching you. Enjoy retirement,” he said. “@MahelaJay & @KumarSanga2 on an excellent career. You have been gr8 role models & inspiration 2 a lot of youngsters. Good luck :),” added former South African legend Jacques Kallis.