It couldn't exactly be the fairytale he would have hoped for as India thrashed the home side by 278 runs in what was Sangakkara's final hurrah.
But the 37-year-old left-hander, who signed off with 12,400 runs in 134 Tests at an average of 57.40, had a wide grin on his face for most part as dignitaries -- one after another -- showered him with mementos and good wishes in an elaborate farewell ceremony after the match.
Much before the actual ceremony, the affable batsman walked out to warm embraces and handshakes with Virat Kohli's men after the fall of the last Sri Lankan wicket on the fifth day of the match.
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The dignitaries included Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Gavaskar and Sri Lanka's only World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.
"I wish you an excellent second innings in life. I hope it is as incredible as your first innings. And now I welcome you to join...Drum roll...Former cricketers' club," Gavaskar quipped as he handed out an envelope to Sangakkara, leaving him in splits.
"You have been the big brother in the Sri Lankan dressing room. The sound of the ball hitting your bat and going for a boundary is the sound that no cricket lover would ever forget," said the former captain on a more serious note.