Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena, two masculine names fraught with self-possession,optimism and persistance.
Too many thoughts about these two; but so little time to decode my thoughts in to words. We grew up watching them play and time has been ticking so fast that it has brought us to a halt where we have to wave them our final goodbyes. The consistency and competence Sangawardena exhibited on field is purely exquisite. It’s not just their expertise we adore; we are in awe of their absolute charisma as well. Their prowess as batsmen has marveled millions and it is unequivocal.
Every run they procured brought a twinkle to our eyes; every catch they took worked wonders on our credence. Every mistake they made yesterday have become their strength today.We call them our saviors; they are often a requisite to complete our victory. Sharing their proficiency in Cricket with the world and taking part in a variety of charities, they have mastered humanity and humbleness through the years.
There might have been times where we have uttered a yelp at them for certain crucial errors they made. There were times when they brought a tear to our eyes, predominantly a smile to our lips.
Whether it was during the game agaisnt South Africa when they scored the highest partnership in test history or during when we pulled off the MCG miracle,they have pleasured this game and they have pained! And they have dived in to the depth of this game, cherishing together through the thick and thin, with so much courage. These two have been the paragon of grit and patience.
Would you resurrect the memories of their tears when we lost a series? or would you ever forget the twinkle in their eyes when we won the T20 world cup back in 2014?
Sangakkara and Mahela are an inspiration, because their intelligence, resourcefulness and humbleness makes them the wonderful human beings they are now, hence one will eventually start to follow their footsteps.
Cricket has never been graceful before. Sangakkara and Mahela have raised the ordinary to extraordinary. They are the epitomes of gentlemen's game. They are irreplacble and it is an emphatic fact that no one can deny.
New stars will rise and shine, they will follow the trail left by Sangakkara and Mahela.
So my dear Sangawardena, this is not at all to bid adieu, but a tribute to honour you and thank you for the wonderful memories you gave us. It’s been an absolute privilege to watch you play. Thank You for being a part of all the glory you brought to our motherland. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU! Swifter than the wind, fiercer than a lion. Sangawardena will always blossom in the blaze.
Heroes will be remembered but legends never die!
