Not everyone can be expected to get along well with each other - Kumar Sangakkara on Kevin Pietersen's axing
Comparing Kevin Pietersen to Lasith Malinga, Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara said that not everyone can be expected to get along well with each other in a team environment. He further went on to add that match-winners like Pietersen need to be valued from the team’s perspective.
"I don't know the reasons for KP's exclusion but the fact remains that he's an amazing player,” Sangakkara told Wisden Extra.
The 36-year-old southpaw admitted that Sri Lanka will be happy to not have him in the opposite camp.
"I've watched him, admired him and he is undoubtedly an out-and-out match-winner. Of course, as an opposition player I'm not disappointed he's not around. We know what damage he could have done to us, and the damage he has done to us before. To not have him walk in - that presence he has - is a bit of a relief," said Sangakkara.
"For us, it's been like that with Lasith Malinga. He is very different in the way he looks, and as a person. Not everyone gets on well with each other in a team. There are certain people you might not have dinner with, but that doesn't take away from the fact they will be valuable players in a national cause, going out trying to win matches," said Sangakkara, stressing on what England will be miss out when they take the field without him in the first Test match between both the teams on Thursday.
"Without going into details, we've had our own issues and difficulties over the years inside the dressing-room and outside it," Sangakkara revealed.
"We've dealt with that very well as a side, and having 11 similar players is definitely not a positive thing. Having different players, different attitudes, different individuals and bringing that difference into the mix but being able to commit 100% to a team cause - that's the beauty of cricket," said the 36-year-old on England Cricket Board’s decision to end Kevin Pietersen’s career.
Pietersen averages 51.41 in 11 Tests against Sri Lanka. In his last outing against Sri Lanka at Colombo, the right-hander scored an impressive 151 off just 165 deliveries helping his team win the match and level the series.