Virat Kohli writes heartfelt farewell note for Kumar Sangakkara

Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara

Colombo: Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli has penned a heartwarming farewell message to retiring Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara, saying that he felt "lucky" to have played in the same era as the legendary cricketer.

"Dear Sanga, it's been an absolute pleasure knowing you as a person first and no words can explain you great cricketing achievements," Kohli wrote in his message to the Lankan legend, an image of which was posted on Twitter by the BCCI.

"You have inspired so many people and shown them the way. Luck to have played in the same era as you. Thanks for everything. God bless you and your family and wish you the best in life ahead," he added.

Virat Kohli's letter to Sangakkara that was tweeted by the BCCI.

"I just want to congratulate Kumar again on a wonderful career. I have spoken a lot about him, everyone has, in the last week, but I can't help saying it again that it has been an absolute pleasure playing with you," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony of the second Test where India beat Sri Lanka by 278 runs to level the three-match series 1-1.

Sangakkara, considered one of the greatest batsmen to have emerged from the island nation, had declared that he would be bidding adieu to the game after the second Test against India in the ongoing three-match series.

Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara. Pic/AP, PTI

The stylish left-hander has ended with 12,400 runs in 134 Tests at an average of 57.40 and 14234 runs from 404 ODIs at 41.98.