It was outside the off and he recognized it was in the driving area, what followed next was something like this. Led by front shoulder into the shot he took a full stride towards the pitch of the ball, bent down a little to adjust his body weight to transfer it into the front foot, his bat came down from slip keeping it as close to his pad as possible, he kept his elbow high and bat straight (The makers were proud of the complete visibility of their logo), he lent forward a little more (in perfectly rehearsed manner), the bat seemed like just kissing the ball, which to play its part in the whole act raced away all along the carpet to the boundary. The follow through was majestic (and natural). Over his 15 years international career where Sangakkara has struck 3001 boundaries many have followed the above routine. He was unique, not because the way he batted, not because the way he kept wicket, not because the way he handled his troops when in command, but because of the fact that all this traits came in a package. An excellent wicket keeper who was the mainstay of his team’s batting for over one and half decades, and one of the most important brains behind the success of his nation in international cricket post Arjuna Ranatunga era. And yes there were occasional cover drives which mesmerized the age-old purists and the modern day T20 loving youth alike. read more