--by Ganesh Chandrasekaran syndicated from cricbuzz.com,
Kumar Sangakkara was at his witty best while answering some tough questions. © Cricbuzz
Kumar Sangakkara is best known for a few things - his partnership with Mahela Jayawardene, his outstanding batting records, a few interesting tussles, cheeky wit and a lot of cricketing achievements. As he gets nearer to calling time on a glorious career, the master batsman is ready to play his penultimate Test at Galle and is rightly the cynosure of all eyes.
Statistically, Sri Lanka's greatest Test batsman, the left-hander is renowned to be as graceful with words as he's with the bat. Sangakkara tackles a few tough ones in this exclusive light-hearted tete-a-tete with Cricbuzz.
Kumar Sangakkara was at his witty best while answering some tough questions. © Cricbuzz
You and Mahela (Jayawardene) or you and Yehali Sangakkara? What has been the best partnership of your life?
(Laughs) On the field, definitely Mahela and all the partnerships that we have forged out in the middle. But, if I had to pick just the one, then it is Yehali. Most definitely, without a doubt it is, Yehali!
(Laughs) On the field, definitely Mahela and all the partnerships that we have forged out in the middle. But, if I had to pick just the one, then it is Yehali. Most definitely, without a doubt it is, Yehali!
The double ton record, your Test batting average, or Man of the final in World T20 2014? Pick one.
The World T20 one for sure.
The World T20 one for sure.
Your numbers speak for yourself. So here is something on two other Sri Lankan stalwarts. Who's the better batsman - Mahela or Aravinda de Silva?
That's a tough question. Both of them are amazing. Aravinda is everyone's personal favorite, without a doubt. Even Mahela will say that, if you ask him. Sentimentally, it is Aravinda, but style-wise it is definitely Mahela.
That's a tough question. Both of them are amazing. Aravinda is everyone's personal favorite, without a doubt. Even Mahela will say that, if you ask him. Sentimentally, it is Aravinda, but style-wise it is definitely Mahela.
Keeping to Murali (Muttiah Muralitharan) or batting against him - Which was more difficult?
Both were exceptionally difficult, and in both he's made me look like an idiot.
Both were exceptionally difficult, and in both he's made me look like an idiot.
Are you better with words or better with the bat?
I don't think that I'm that great with either. I've been lucky in both.
I don't think that I'm that great with either. I've been lucky in both.
What is the best batting advice that you got? And from whom?
Not just one. Three people. One is from my father, the other is Sunil Fernando and then Aravinda de Silva. Aravinda taught me how to watch the ball properly and adjusted my bottom-hand grip. My father has been instrumental in my entire game and the way I think about it. Sunil Fernando has based my technique.
Not just one. Three people. One is from my father, the other is Sunil Fernando and then Aravinda de Silva. Aravinda taught me how to watch the ball properly and adjusted my bottom-hand grip. My father has been instrumental in my entire game and the way I think about it. Sunil Fernando has based my technique.
Wicket-keeping, captaincy or fielding? Which will you miss the least?
I'll miss wicket-keeping the least. I'm a terrible fielder, so that doesn't even come into the picture. I won't miss all three, really.
I'll miss wicket-keeping the least. I'm a terrible fielder, so that doesn't even come into the picture. I won't miss all three, really.
Who would be your first choice spinner, opener and fast bowler in your dream XI?
Non-Srilankan? All around the world it will be Murali, otherwise. If it is a non-Sri Lankan, then it will be Shane Warne. Opener... I would say Matthew Hayden. My fast bowler would be Wasim Akram.
Non-Srilankan? All around the world it will be Murali, otherwise. If it is a non-Sri Lankan, then it will be Shane Warne. Opener... I would say Matthew Hayden. My fast bowler would be Wasim Akram.
Virat Kohli, Joe Root or Angelo Mathews? Pick only one.
That's a tough pick. All three are unbelievable players. If I can separate the three Kohli will break every Indian record. Root is going to get very close to or probably (become) the best England has produced. Angi (Angelo Mathews), you can write now, he's unbelievable as an all-round cricketer. Angi is the future of Sri Lankan cricket. He's just unbelievable!
That's a tough pick. All three are unbelievable players. If I can separate the three Kohli will break every Indian record. Root is going to get very close to or probably (become) the best England has produced. Angi (Angelo Mathews), you can write now, he's unbelievable as an all-round cricketer. Angi is the future of Sri Lankan cricket. He's just unbelievable!
Debates with the board, debates in the dressing room or debates at home. Which are the easiest to tackle?
Easiest to tackle will probably be the debates with the board.
Easiest to tackle will probably be the debates with the board.
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