5 players who could replace Sangakkara in the Sri Lankan Test side
The Sri Lankan icon Kumar Sangakkara has recently confirmed that he will be retiring from International Cricket after the second Test between India and Sri Lanka next month. The stylish left-hander earlier in the year retired from the ODI format post the 2015 World Cup and from the T20 format last year after guiding his side to a World Cup in Bangladesh.Replacing him at number 3 is going to be one heck of a challenge for the Lankan Lions and keeping that in mind, we take a look at the potential candidates who can replace him on the long run.
#1 Kithuruwan Vithanage
Vithanage was earmarked as a future star by the former selector Sanath Jayasuriya on the back of his domestic performances. The coach of the Sri Lankan A team too, hailed the left-handed batsman as one for the future after his successful series against Pakistan A at home.
Despite the gaping flaws in his technique, Vithanage lets his hard hitting ability help him atone for the apparent shortcoming in technique. His ability to put pressure on bowlers by going after them, may very well prevent bowlers from attacking him, by forcing them to defend.
In his short Test career though, Vithanage has flattered to deceive. After 8 Test matches, his average fidgets around 30. Nonetheless, he already has a century in Tests which came against Bangladesh at home in 2013.
Most of his Test innings have come at number six or seven. Vithanage usually bats in the top order for his club team and his few endeavors at the top order for the national team have been match winning. With chances at the top order, Vithanage might very well end up sealing a spot in the lineup.