New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS): Former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist heaped praise on Kumar Sangakkara on Monday, saying that the retiring Sri Lankan is one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever seen.

"I think he is one of the greatest batsmen to have played the game. There is absolutely no doubt about that. He is one of the terrific players of the game. I wish him all the best for the future," Gilchrist told the media on the sidelines of an event in the capital.

Sangakkara stepped away from international cricket on Monday after the second Test against India in Colombo which Sri Lanka lost by 278 runs.

The stylish left-hander was the most successful Sri Lankan batsman in Test cricket with 12,400 runs. He occupies the fifth spot in the overall list. He also led Sri Lanka in 15 Tests, 45 ODIs and 22 T20s.

Gilchrist also hailed retiring Australian skipper Michael Clarke, asserting that incoming captain Steve Smith will prove to be a competent leader.

Clarke presided over a disappointing Australian performance in the just concluded Ashes series in England. The tour saw the men from Down Under lose the Test series 2-3.

They were outplayed by the hosts for much of the series, losing the the third and fourth Tests within three days. Clarke however, said it is time to look to the future.

"It is a new start, it is a fresh start. Michael Clarke has been a wonderful servant to Australian cricket but Steve Smith has shown he has got the capacity to take the team into the future. I think he will do a wonderful job," he said.