Australian wicket-keeping great Adam Gilchrist paid a glowing tribute to Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, saying the stylish southpaw was one of the game's "terrific" players.

"I think he is one of the greatest, without a doubt. He is one of the game's terrific players and I wish him best for the future," said Gilchrist in his praise for the Sri Lankan, who just like him, gained respect from fans all around the world, NDTV reported.

Sangakkara, who called time on his international career after a heavy loss against India in the second Test in Colombo, was Sri Lanka's highest run-getter in Tests with 12,400 runs and fifth highest overall.

Gilchrist, while speaking at a school here as Australia's new education ambassador to India, was also asked about Australia's 2-3 defeat in the Ashes and whether Steve Smith was the right man to take the team forward after the retirement of Michael Clarke.

"It is a new start, it is a fresh start. Michael Clarke has been a wonderful servant to Australian cricket but Steve Smith has shown he has got the capacity to take the team into the future. I think he will do a wonderful job," said the 43-year-old on the sidelines of the launch of BRIDGE, an initiative linking schools in India and Australia.

Gilchrist, who represented Australia in 96 Tests and 287 games, is very popular in India as he is back home.