Mahela Jayawardene: Have many fond memories playing in India

Mahela Jayawardene

Kolkata, Nov 12 (IANS) Probably on his last tour of India, Sri Lankan batting great Mahela Jayawardene on Wednesday said he always enjoyed playing in India - a country from where he has many fond memories.

"India always has been a wonderful place to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing in India. I have a lot of fond memories," said the former Sri Lanka captain as his team prepares to take on India at the Eden Gardens on Thursday for the penultimate game of the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series.

The 37-year-old, who made his Test debut against India, has scored 582 runs in 20 ODIs and 628 runs from six Tests that he played in India. It was in 1998 that he played for the first time in India.

"I have enjoyed playing here a lot, enjoyed the great hospitality and fantastic cricket. I am just going to enjoy this," added Jayawardene.

Jayawardene, who has already retired from Tests and Twenty20 Internationals, has announced he would quit ODIs after the 2015 World Cup.