These are exciting days in the life of Kumar Sangakkara. Last week his wife gave birth to twins, and during that nervous period ("unbelievable feeling, overjoyed"), he was also aware he had a Test match starting Saturday (July 4) his first as captain. Having led Sri Lanka to the World Twenty20 final is all right, but he knows leading in Tests is the real deal.

That he qualifies for his new role is beyond doubt. He has been prolific with the bat, he has been a vital part of the think-tank for some time now, and the only reason why he wasn't leading Sri Lanka so far was because they had someone better doing the job. Now that someone will be playing under Sangakkara. While Pakistan and India have shown in the past that it can be a hazardous state of affairs there are no such headaches for Sangakkara and Sri Lanka.

"Mahela Jayawardene is not just a former captain, but a very good former captain," Sangakkara said, also pointing out the wealth of knowledge he had at his disposal. "And we have got one of the more experienced cricketers in the world - Murali. Dilshan has suddenly taken on a lot more responsibility, and he is thinking a lot more about his cricket and team in general. Thilan Samaraweera has a very shrewd cricket brain. I have got so much on offer, at end of the day I just have to make sure that whatever information I receive I make the final decision and the right one."

Sangakkara is known for keeping things simple. And if what one says is indicative of what kind of impact one has on a team, Sangakkara is saying all the right things. Sample his response when questioned on a tricky issue: the dropping of Chaminda Vaas. "I had a very good one-on-one chat with him [Vaas] before we went for the Twenty20 world Cup. There is no doubt about the quality of Chaminda Vaas. And what he has done for Sri Lankan cricket. He has still got a role to play in our side. We just have to decide which format of the game he is going to make the most contribution in, and with his fitness and age how best can he divide his time if he decides to play more than one form of the game. But definitely, going forward, there is a World Cup. He is going to be a big part of our side."

Did he discuss retirement with Vaas? The response was just as clear. "As players, or as captain, we have no right to ask any one to retire." Ruthlessness without being indifferent, and consideration without compromising team goals - that seems the clear message here.

--Cricinfo