No regrets, says Kumar

Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara said he was confident about the future of the side after he bowed out of one-day internationals with a World Cup quarterfinal defeat by South Africa.

Sangakkara, who will continue in Test cricket, had always planned to bring down the curtain on his one-day career after the World Cup.

But there was no fairytale finish for either Sangakkara or fellow batsman Mahela Jayawardene, for whom this was a last Sri Lanka match in any format, as the two veterans -- both runners-up at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups -- were denied the chance to play in a third straight final.

"I think the team is in great hands. Angelo Mathews has been such an impressive leader right throughout," said Sangakkara.

"I think Tillakaratne Dilshan might be playing a few more seasons for Sri Lanka, and we've had Lahiru Thirimanne, who's really made great strides.

"Every single time he plays he looks more and more impressive. We've had a few injuries this tour, but if you look at the players we have, you can't but be positive about the future.

"I think if you take some of the younger players, if I can compare myself to them at the same age, I think these guys are quite a way ahead of where I was, and that's quite exciting when you really look at it because that means they've got so much more left to learn and a lot more to give to Sri Lanka," Sangakkara, who made his ODI debut in 2000, said.

"I have no fear about the future of Sri Lankan cricket."

Reflecting on Wednesday's match, he said: "It's disappointing to lose, especially in a quarterfinal, but to win against a side like South Africa we have to do really well.

"We were expecting, as much as anyone, of ourselves. But we weren't good enough today."

The wicketkeeper-batsman's overall ODI figures are outstanding too, with 14,234 runs in 404 matches, including 38 hundreds, at an average of 41.98, as well as 501 dismissals comprising 402 catches and 99 stumpings.

Paying tribute to his longstanding teammate, Sangakkara said: "I think Mahela has been an exceptional player for Sri Lanka..I'm sure he's going to be thoroughly disappointed today, but also, sometimes there is a bit of relief, as well, when your career ends."

And Sangakkara said he had no regrets about bowing out now.

"The tape holding my fingers together, there's a lot more holding my body together.

"I'm sure I can play maybe a year or two more, but I feel that the time is now.

"I'm pretty happy with the decision I've made. I've tried to give everything when I've played the game.

"But you know, the game goes on. You can't hold onto it and people shouldn't be too sentimental.

"At the end of the day, I think a lot better players and greater players have gone, and the game has gone on and there are new players who take the mantle, and in my case it won't be any different."

Asked how he would like to be remembered, Sangakkara said: "If anyone can say that they've enjoyed playing against me and playing with me, I'll be more than happy."

The cricketing world in applauded Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who bowed out of ODIs yesterday. Here are the best tweets.

"Well done on glorious ODI careers @KumarSanga2 & @MahelaJay Being an integral part of the ODI side for so many years, it is difficult to imagine the side without the 2 of you. Wishing you the very best and will miss the 2 of you constructing the innings in coloured clothes."
- Sachin Tendulkar

"Congrats to @MahelaJay and @KumarSanga2 on incredible careers and what brilliant memories they gave us all."
- Graeme Smith

"That's it. SA are through to semis. Sad end of Mahela & Sanga's ODI career." 
- Shoaib Akhter

"Congrats to @MahelaJay and @KumarSanga2 for a wonderful one day careers. SL will find it difficult to fill the gap...too big shoes."
- Anil Kumble

"Well played South Africa on a dominant win over Sri Lanka. Sad to see the legends @KumarSanga2 & @MahelaJay finish their one day careers."
- Glen McGrath

"Congrats @MahelaJay & @KumarSanga2 on an excellent career. You have been gr8 role models & inspiration 2 a lot of youngsters. Good luck."
- Jacques Kallis