Watch: Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli congratulate Suranga Lakmal on eve of his final Test
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Sri Lankan pacer Suranga Lakmal was congratulated for his cricketing career by Indian head coach Rahul Dravid and the Indian dressing room following India’s second innings of the Day-Night Test in Bengaluru. Lakmal had announced that this bilateral series with India will be his last match and that he’ll be retiring from international cricket.
Lakmal picked Ravindra Jadeja’s wicket in the first innings but couldn’t pick another after conceding 34 runs in the second innings. After India’s second innings, Dravid, Kohli and others were in the dressing room and as soon Suranga Lakmal entered it, he was congratulated for his cricketing career. The 35-year-old is one of the leading pacers and had played 69 Tests and took 170 wickets at an average of 36.4 for the Lankans team.
The Lankans were bowled out for 109 in their first innings and India batted with aggression in their second innings. They declared their innings after 303/9, setting the target of 447 for their opponent. Rishabh Pant played a thunderous inning ay knocking 50 off 28 deliveries, surpassing veteran Kapil Dev’s record of 50 off 30 against Pakistan.
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“This is the best time to take my leave of Sri Lanka cricket”: Suranga Lakmal
When he was asked about his cricketing journey and the reason to quit cricket when he is close to taking 200 wickets, Suranga Lakmal said: “More than thinking about my performance, I thought about what I can do for my team. I’ve played for 13 years, and now I’m 35. Rather than sticking around for a couple more years, I thought I’d give my place to someone younger. This is the best time to take my leave of Sri Lanka cricket.”
“If I was going after 200 wickets, I don’t know how many more Tests I’d have had to have played. Maybe ten. Maybe five. But then you’re just going after personal goals. I didn’t want to be like that. If from my leaving, we can get one or two players who can take my place and have those opportunities – that’s what’s important.”
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Gouri Das
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