Sangakkara decided to captain Sri Lanka after 'considering the needs of the side'

London, June 16(ANI): Kumar Sangakkara has revealed how he was persuaded to lead Sri Lanka again, just 10 weeks after quitting.

Sangakkara, who stood down after Sri Lanka's defeat in the World Cup final against India, agreed to stand in as captain for the Lord's Test against England after Tillakeratne Dilshan was ruled out with a broken thumb.

"When I was first approached to captain the side I wasn't ready to take it on, because the fact was I had given it up, with a view of having finished my role as captain after two successful years," The Sun quoted Sangakkara, as saying.

"Unfortunately there was no vice-captain appointed for this Test series, so the side was left in a bit of a problem with no one to step in to captain, so with a lot of deep thought and considering the needs of the side and Sri Lanka, I decided to say yes to captaining Sri Lanka again for a final time in this Test," he added.

The 33-year-old will toss the coin with England captain Andrew Strauss for today's third and final Test at the Rose Bowl. (ANI)