The International Cricket Council (ICC) has paid tribute to Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who officially retired from the international game on Monday.

Sri Lanka's heavy 278-run defeat on the final day of the second Test to India marked the end of Sangakkara's illustrious career, which has spanned 15 years.

In that time, the left-hander played 134 Test matches, 404 one-day internationals and 56 Twenty20s.

Across all three formats, Sangakkara made 28,016 runs, underlining his legendary status, and the ICC released a statement upon the conclusion of the Test in Colombo.

"Kumar Sangakkara will rightly go down as one of cricket's greatest-ever players and ambassadors," said chief executive David Richardson.

"Across an illustrious career, he maintained levels of excellence whether batting, keeping wickets or leading by example.

"By scoring a total of 28,016 runs across all three formats, he puts himself in the higher echelons of players to ever grace the game. But he also made a considerable contribution off the field and carried the weight of expectation of a passionate Sri Lanka supporting public, as he did his batting, with great class.

"The high esteem in which he is also held by his peers is emphasised by the fact that he was invited to deliver the prestigious 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's, becoming the first active player to do so.

"Kumar was also a valued member of the ICC Cricket Committee from 2007 to 2015.

"In stepping off the field of play for the last time we wish Kumar and his family well and thank him for his enormous contribution to the game."