A day after announcing his retirement from the shortest version of the game, Sri Lanka's former captain and batting stalwart Kumar Sangakkara Monday decided to end his ODI career with the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
"I am 36 years old now and will be 37 next year during the World Cup. By next World Cup, I will be 41 and I don't hope to play then. So 2015 World Cup will be my last. It's kind of a natural progression," Sangakkara said here during a media interaction.
"As far as One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Test cricket are concerned, it's hard to make a time frame. For Test cricket -- form, fitness and enjoyment factors are there for you to continue. There is no denying I am in the twilight of my career."
Sangakkara's announcement came hours after team mate and former captain Mahela Jayawardene said he too would retire from the T20Is after the showpiece event which concludes April 6.
Sangakkara said that the exit of the two greats will not affect the transition of the team into the hands of the youngsters.
"If me and Mahela decide to quit today, tomorrow or whenever we do, it is not going to make a huge difference. It's going to be fine. If you look at (Lahiru) Thirimanne and (Dinesh) Chandimal, they are ready to play in any form. Angelo Mathews is maturing as the Test and ODI captain. Sri Lankan cricket is in very good hands," said the southpaw, who led Sri Lanka to the 2009 World T20 final where they lost to Pakistan.
Sri Lanka had also reached the 2012 World T20 final under Jayawardene, losing to the West Indies.
"In 2007 in South Africa, we were pretty raw but to reach the final in 2009 was great. In 2012, at home again, we reached the final but let it slip. I think in the two finals, we made enough mistakes to let it slip," concluded Sangakkara.
