Angelo Mathews has backed Kumar Sangakkara to bow out of international cricket with a century, after hailing the left-hander as the backbone of Sri Lankan cricket.

Sri Lanka face India in the second Test beginning on Thursday in Colombo, with the hosts having won the first encounter in Galle.

Sri Lanka captain Mathews anticipates an emotional week, as 37-year-old Sangakkara announced in June he would step down from the international scene at the end of this match.

Having already retired from 50-over and Twenty20 cricket with Sri Lanka, Sangakkara, who is contracted in England with Surrey, has moved on to more than 12,000 runs in the longest format, and appears keen to add another ton to the 38 he already boasts in Tests.

Mathews said in a press conference: "It's going to be an emotional game for us. He's a great servant of Sri Lanka cricket, a great servant for the team, and a great human being. We can't thank him enough for what he has done for Sri Lanka cricket.

"The best we could do is try and win the game, and win the series. That will be the best farewell.

"From what I can see he wants to score a hundred! He works extremely hard, he's determined to that. I wish he does that.

"He's the backbone of Sri Lanka cricket. It will be a tough game for him as well but all good things have to come to an end. We wish him all the best."

Visiting skipper Virat Kohli admitted he feels privileged to be part of Sangakkara's swansong. The India batsman was a schoolboy when Sangakkara made his Test debut in July 2000, in a winning cause against South Africa at Galle.

Kohli said on www.bcci.tv: "Hopefully he doesn't score too many runs against us but I really wish him all the luck with his life after cricket. It has been wonderful to know such a great player and a great man."