India set for Sangakkara's farewell series

India hope to end a 22-year wait for a Test series win in Sri Lanka when the three-match rubber that also marks Kumar Sangakkara's farewell opens in Galle on Wednesday.

The Sri Lankan batting great, whose 12,305 runs make him Test cricket's leading scorer among those still playing, is due to quit international cricket after the second Test in Colombo.

When confirming his retirement in June, Sangakkara said he would only play two of the three Tests against India.

Quick single: Sangakkara confirms Test retirement

He also missed the third Test of Sri Lanka’s series against Pakistan in June.

"I wanted to retire after the World Cup, but was requested by the selectors to stay on. I agreed to play four more Tests," Sangakkara said at the time.

Indian captain Virat Kohli said his team plans to give 37-year-old Sangakkara a fond farewell - but also make sure they do not allow the prolific left-hander to pile up big scores.

"Great man and a great cricketer, he deserves a very good farewell and we will prepare accordingly," Kohli said of Sangakkara.

"But hopefully we will also get him out cheaply."

The tourists will not be distracted by the hype over Sangakkara's farewell as they bid to end a barren phase in Sri Lanka since the 1-0 victory by Mohammad Azharuddin's men in 1993.

India have played four series on the island since, losing in 2001 and 2008 while drawing in 1997 and 2010.

Image Id: ~/media/C2E61D2158404DDD9E5BE7F73B2DEED6

Last time they met: Kumar Sangakkara shakes hands with VVS Laxman in 2010 // Getty 

The five-year gap since their last series means that 11 of the 15 tourists, including skipper Kohli, have not played a Test match on Sri Lankan soil before.

Kohli, regarded as one of the most accomplished batsmen in the modern game, is determined to make a winning start in his first full series as captain after taking over from MS Dhoni in Australia last year.

India will be relieved at playing Test cricket in familiar sub-continental conditions after losing four series in a row in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia.

"We are here to play good cricket," Kohli said, downplaying India's poor overseas record.

"History and records are sidelined when the focus is on playing good cricket.

"For us, every series is part of the plan to build a really strong unit that will continue to play for a long time."

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