Kumar Sangakkara to retire during India series in August

Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara will quit international cricket during the Test series against India, the island nation's most prolific batsman said on Saturday.

Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara will quit international cricket during the Test series against India, the island nation's most prolific batsman said on Saturday.

Sri-Lanka-s-Kumar-Sangakkara-gets-ready-to-bat-in-the-nets-during-a-training-session-in-Kingston-Jamaica-AP-Photo

"I have decided to call it a day... (after) the second Test of the India series," the 37-year-old, who retired from 50-over cricket after Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign this year, told reporters.

"The original plan was to retire from all international cricket after the World Cup but... following a discussion with the previous selection committee, I gave my word that I would be available for these two series.

"But at the same time I said that I would be unable to play six Test matches," he said.

India arrive in early August to play three Tests in Sri Lanka but the dates and the venues have not been finalised.

Sangakkara made his international debut in 2000 and is currently playing his 132nd Test against Pakistan, having amassed more than 12,000 runs at an average of over 54 and including 38 centuries.

The left-hander is one short of Australian great Donald Bradman's record of 12 double centuries in Tests.

His ODI record is no less impressive, having amassed 14,234 runs in 404 matches, averaging nearly 42 and including 25 centuries.