Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara, affectionately known as “Sanga,” is celebrated as one of cricket’s most compelling personalities. A true asset to Sri Lankan cricket, he has established himself as one of the nation’s finest cricketers. Sangakkara’s batting prowess is admired by connoisseurs of the game for his ability to handle both pace and spin with ease, particularly thriving in challenging situations. Known for his extraordinary concentration, Sangakkara often turns centuries into substantial scores. Having played under numerous captains, his leadership is marked by maturity and support for young talent. His multilingual skills also make him a popular figure within Sri Lanka’s diverse dressing room.

Early Career and Rise to International Cricket

Initially a pure batsman, Sangakkara later excelled as a wicket-keeper. He began his domestic career with Nondescripts at age 20, quickly becoming a consistent performer. Known for his elegant batting and temperament, he caught attention with a remarkable 156* for Sri Lanka A against Zimbabwe A in 2000, earning his ODI debut against Pakistan that same year. His impressive performance, highlighted by an 85 in just his second match, earned him the Man of the Match title and an impressive series average of 66.33.

Test Cricket Success and Records

Following his ODI success, Sangakkara received a Test call-up against South Africa, excelling both with gloves and bat. After initially missing centuries, he scored his first against India at Galle in 2001. His consistent form saw him replace legendary wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana. Notably, his double century against Pakistan in Lahore secured Sri Lanka’s victory in the 2001/02 Asian Test Championship. In 2004, another double century in Colombo led Sri Lanka to their first Test series win over South Africa. A historic partnership of 624 runs with Mahela Jayawardene in 2006 further highlighted his scoring ability, although he narrowly missed a triple century. In 2009, Sangakkara succeeded Jayawardene as Sri Lankan captain across formats, eventually relinquishing wicket-keeping in Tests to focus on batting. Despite stepping down from captaincy after the 2011 World Cup final, he achieved significant milestones, becoming the joint-fastest to 10,000 Test runs in 2012 and earning ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2013.

Final Chapter: Career Peaks and Retirement

The 2014-15 season was prolific for Sangakkara, as he amassed runs and centuries effortlessly. His form continued into the 2015 ICC World Cup, making history with four consecutive centuries. Despite his brilliant displays, Sri Lanka faltered in the quarter-finals against South Africa. Following the World Cup, Sangakkara retired from limited overs cricket, ending a legendary career.

FAQs About Kumar Sangakkara

Q: What is Kumar Sangakkara’s nickname?
A: Sangakkara is affectionately known as “Sanga.”

Q: When did Sangakkara make his ODI debut?
A: He made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in 2000 against Pakistan.

Q: What record partnership did Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene achieve in 2006?
A: They set a record partnership of 624 runs against South Africa, one of the highest in Test cricket.

Q: How many consecutive centuries did Sangakkara score in the 2015 ICC World Cup?
A: Sangakkara scored four consecutive centuries, a first in World Cup history.

Q: When did Kumar Sangakkara retire from limited-overs cricket?
A: He announced his retirement following the 2015 ICC World Cup.