Sydney, March 18 (IANS): As Sri Lanka’s two batting icons Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene retired from limited overs cricket after their loss to South Africa in the World Cup quarterfinals here on Wednesday, greats of the sport congratulated the duo on their splendid careers.

The duo have been a foundation that carried Sri Lanka to the 2014 World Twenty20 title and twice reached the final of the 50-over World Cup in 2007 and 2011, a remarkable achievement for a relatively young cricketing nation of 20 million people.

Now after 550 matches, the Sangakkara and Jayawardene partnership has been broken finally. As brilliant as they have been individually over the years, the two have been just as good in their partnerships across all formats of the game.

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar congratulated them on their incredible career.

“Well done on glorious ODI careers Sanga and Mahela. Being an integral part of the ODI side for so many years, it is difficult to imagine the side without the 2 of you. Wishing you the very best and will miss the 2 of you constructing the innings in coloured clothes,” Tendulkar tweeted.

Former Australian fast bowling great Glenn McGrath tweeted, “Well played on a South Africa dominate win over Sri Lanka. Sad to see the legends finish their one day careers”.

Australia batsman Shane Watson also applauded their journey: “Sad to see two of the greats leave the one day game...Quality, Class, Humility”.

South Africa’s Graeme Smith also joined the chorus: “Congrats to Mahela and Sanga on incredible careers and what brilliant memories they gave us all.”

Former Australia pacer Damien Fleming added: “And that's all she wrote. Saf win by 9 wickets. Mahela and Sanga, end of their fabulous one day careers congrats Guns.”

Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore tweeted, “To Mahela and Sanga, bad luck tonight but well done on your superb careers. Good luck and hope to see you both in the future!”