IPL 2021: Lionel Messi to play for Rajasthan Royals? Kumar Sangakkara responds

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara joined Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) as the Director of Cricket for the 2021 edition. The southpaw is set to work with RR's new skipper Sanju Samson, who has replaced Steve Smith. 

So ahead of the start of the IPL from April 9, Sangakkara answered some question posed to him on social media. In a video shared on the Royals' YouTube channel, the former Lankan skipper can be seen sharing his opinions on the queries from fans. 

However, it was one of the questions about legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi that got Sangakkara quirky side out.

The fan asked and wrote, "Can we sign Messi in next year's mega auction please?" to which Sangakkara reverted to the fan with a pinch of humour.

"Are you talking about Lionel Messi? Well, wonderful to have a player like him. I’m sure with his talent, he can definitely play some cricket as well," Sangakkara was quoted as saying in the video.

One of the fans even asked him who among the current batters plays the shot the best. The fan asked and wrote, "Which current batsman has the most perfect Sanga drive (cover drive)?"

Sangakkara was in a bit of a dilemma but named Ben Stokes and Samson from the Royals. He also praised Virat Kohli and believes that even Shivam Dube can nail the stroke.

"There’s quite a few, in our team itself, there’s quite a few. Ben Stokes is one, Sanju Samson can also play the drive. Virat Kohli, of course, has a beautiful balance and great transfer into his cover drive.

"And hopefully, I want to see Shivam Dube play them as well. It’s one of my favourite shots. And there are so many batters in the world who play it much better than I ever did," he stated.