Emotional farewell for Sangakkara

Swansong

 Right throughout the two Test matches Kumar Sangakkara has kept his emotions in check like a monk despite knowing that he was counting time on a glorious 15-year career.

Right from the time he addressed the media ahead of the first Test at Galle till he walked back to the dressing room on Sunday evening after playing the final shot of his international career, there was hardly a hint of an unusual expression on the legend’s face.

He kept soaking in all the adulation and respect fans, players and former greats have been bestowing upon him with his trademark gentle smile and a simple thank you, hardly portraying the emotions of a man who was saying goodbye to something that has defined his life. All that bottled up emotions finally gave away when he saw his parents — father Swarnakumara Sangakkara and mother Kumari Surangana — at the P Sara Oval.

Addressing an elite gathering that included the country’s newly re-elected Prime Minister Ranil Wickermesinghe, President Maithripala Sirisena, 1996 World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, his two illustrious team-mates Muttiah Muralitharan and Mahela Jayawardene and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, the 37-year-old Sangakkara was overcome by emotion while thanking his parents.

“A lot of people have asked me what has inspired me. I don't have to look beyond my parents,” Sangakkara said, choking and tears rolling down his eyes for the first time in two weeks.

“I don’t want to embarrass you but you have been my inspiration. And my siblings,” he added, voice cracking again and tears flowing. “Thank you amma (mother) and appachi (father). I felt safe at home. They say you can't choose your family and choose only your friends, but I am thankful I was born your child and your sibling. I am sorry I don't always get emotional, but this is the rare time that my parents and my siblings are here.”

Forgets to thank wife

During that speech, where he thanked his alma mater Trinity College president, childhood coach Sunil Fernando, long-time agent Charlie Austin, one important person he forgot to mention was his better half Yehali, the pillar of his strength and the mother of his two kids.

Admitting a genuine mistake at a press conference later, Sangakkara said without his wife’s support he couldn’t have achieved all the greatness. “I imagined my parents and family (during the farewell speech). I forgot to mention by wife and children by name. To me when I say family, it’s all of them. You know my children are six years old now but that’s been the highlight of my partnership. She has been amazingly supportive and amazingly tolerant. I’m quite a chaotic person.

“I’m only organised in my bating. Anything away from that, it’s not easy for her to get me organised, to keep me on track and get my appointments done. But she has done the most amazing job. She has gifted me amazing children. Like I said again, I’m blessed with so much and I’m thankful for. Yehali and my children is the best partnership of my life. So I hope she tolerates me for a few more years!” he gushed.

Sangakkara, who was offered the position of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by the president at the farewell ceremony, said his focus now is his family only. “I’ll go home and sleep, then tomorrow I’m going to England. If you’re talking about my future, I have to sit down with my wife and children and figure out what’s best for them. Whether I’m part of cricket or not, the sport will go forward. It won’t stop. I have a great responsibility to my family, so I’ll think about them first, before anything else.”