Kumar Sangakkara, the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test history, was dismissed for 18 in his last international innings Sunday to leave Sri Lanka in trouble in the second Test against India.
The hosts, set a tough victory target of 413, slumped to 33-2 after Sangakkara’s dismissal before closing the fourth day’s play at 72-2 at Colombo’s P. Sara Oval.
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was on 25 and skipper Angelo Mathews was on 23. Sri Lanka begin the final day’s play on Monday needing 341 more to win with eight wickets in hand.
India, looking to level the three-match series after losing the first Test in Galle, declared their second innings at 325-8 in the post-tea session after Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 126.
It left the hosts facing a little less that four sessions to achieve the huge target or bat out for a draw on a slow, wearing pitch that should favour India’s spinners.
Virat’s Team India sends the legend off with handshakes, warmth and respect. #FarewellSanga #SLvsIND pic.twitter.com/xilOqWskWC
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 23, 2015
The highest successful fourth-innings run chase at the venue is 352-9 by the hosts against South Africa in 2006.
Sangakkara did not have to wait long to bat after Sri Lanka lost opener Kaushal Silva in the third over, tapping a full toss from Ravichandran Ashwin to the short mid-wicket fielder.
A full house of some 7,000 home fans applauded warmly as Sangakkara was welcomed to the crease by two guards of honour — one formed by young children with raised bats near the boundary and another by Indian fielders.
He hit three boundaries but fell to Ashwin for the fourth time in as many innings in the series when he edged a catch to Murali Vijay off the 18th ball he faced.
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Sangakkara finished with 12,400 runs from 134 Tests at an average of 57.40. He scored 38 centuries including a best of 319 against Bangladesh in Chittagong last year.
The Sri Lankan great follows Sachin Tendulkar of India, Ricky Ponting of Australia, Jacques Kallis of South Africa and Rahul Dravid of India in the all-time list of leading Test scorers.
Rahane anchored the Indian innings before being dismissed shortly before tea for 126, his fourth Test century that was studded with 10 boundaries.
Thank you for all the love. Been my privilege to play for my country and in front of all the fans.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) August 23, 2015
Well played @KumarSanga2. You have been a terrific ambassador for the game & a thorough gentleman. Warm welcome to the club of the Retired!
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 23, 2015
Rahane put on 140 for the second wicket with Vijay (82) and 85 for the fourth with his Mumbai team-mate Rohit Sharma (34).
Dhammika Prasad, who took four wickets in India’s second innings, said Sri Lanka had not given up hope of giving Sangakkara a winning farewell.
Prasad said he was fortunate to have played with Sri Lankan greats like Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene and Sangakkara.
Indian wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha, whose suffered a hamstring strain while batting, did not take the field in Sri Lanka’s second innings. Rahul kept wicket in his absence.
