Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen of all time. He was born on October 27, 1977, in Matale, Sri Lanka. Sangakkara played for Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game and is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played for his country.

Personal Life:

Kumar Sangakkara was born to a family of cricketers. His father, Kshema Sangakkara, was a lawyer who also played cricket for the local club. His mother, Kumari Sangakkara, was a teacher. Kumar Sangakkara is married to Yehali Sangakkara, and the couple has two children, a daughter named Swyree and a son named Kavith.

Early Life:

Kumar Sangakkara started playing cricket at a very young age. He attended Trinity College in Kandy, where he excelled at both academics and sports. He was a part of the school cricket team and was known for his batting skills. He also played for the Under-19 team for Sri Lanka and made his first-class debut at the age of 19.

Playing Style:

Kumar Sangakkara was a left-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper. He was known for his elegant stroke play and his ability to score runs quickly. He had a very compact technique and was equally comfortable against pace and spin. He was also a very agile wicketkeeper and was known for his ability to take difficult catches.

International Records:

Kumar Sangakkara made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2000 and went on to represent his country in 134 Tests, 404 ODIs, and 56 T20Is. He scored a total of 28,016 runs in his international career, which included 63 centuries and 153 half-centuries. He is the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, with 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40. He also holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in ODIs, with 482 dismissals in 404 matches. He was also the first player to score 4 consecutive ODI centuries.

Domestic Cricket:

Kumar Sangakkara played domestic cricket for Kandurata and Nondescripts Cricket Club in Sri Lanka. He also played for various teams in international T20 leagues, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he represented the Deccan Chargers, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the Kings XI Punjab. He also played in the Bangladesh Premier League, the Caribbean Premier League, and the Pakistan Super League.

Kumar Sangakkara is not only known for his great performances on the field but also for his exceptional leadership skills. He has captained Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game and has led his team to many memorable victories. In this article, we will take a look at his captaincy, early career, Indian Premier League stint, and retirement.

Captaincy:

Kumar Sangakkara was appointed as the captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, taking over from Mahela Jayawardene. He was familiar with his tactical acumen and his facility to inspire his team. Under his captaincy, Sri Lanka reached the finals of the 2011 World Cup and the World T20 in 2009 and 2012. He also led Sri Lanka to their first-ever series victory in Australia in 2010.

Early Career:

Kumar Sangakkara made his first-class debut in 1997 for the Nondescripts Cricket Club. He played for his country for the first time in 2000 and quickly established himself as one of the best batsmen in the team. In 2002, he scored his first Test century against Zimbabwe, and he followed it up with a double century against Pakistan in 2002. He became the youngest Sri Lankan to score a Test double century, a record that he held until 2012.

Indian Premier League:

Kumar Sangakkara played in the Indian Premier League for three different teams - the Kings XI Punjab, the Deccan Chargers, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He was bought by the Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008 and was made the captain of the team in 2009. In 2011, he was bought by the Deccan Chargers, and he led them to the playoffs in 2012. In 2013, he was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he played his final season of the IPL in 2015.

Retirement:

Kumar Sangakkara announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2015, after the second Test against India. He finished his international career with 12,400 Test runs, 14,234 ODI runs, and 1382 T20I runs. He scored a total of 63 international centuries and was one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen of all time. He continued to play domestic cricket and T20 leagues after his retirement from international cricket.

Kumar Sangakkara is undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played for Sri Lanka. He has left an indelible mark on the sport with his exceptional skills and leadership abilities. His contribution to Sri Lankan cricket is immense, and his name will forever be etched in the annals of cricketing history.

Sangakkara's record speaks for itself. He scored more than 28,000 international runs and was one of the most prolific run-scorers of his time. He was equally adept at both Test and ODI cricket and was a crucial member of the Sri Lankan team for more than a decade. He was also one of the finest wicket-keeper batsmen of all time and set new standards for his peers to follow.

But it was not just his performances on the field that made him stand out. Sangakkara was an exceptional leader who led by example. He inspired his teammates with his work ethic, professionalism, and dedication to the game. He was respected by his opponents as well, who recognized his leadership skills and his contribution to the sport.

In addition to his cricketing achievements, Sangakkara is also a highly respected individual off the field. He is a well-spoken and articulate personality who has used his platform to advocate for various causes. He has been involved in charity work and has been an ambassador for various social causes. His humanitarian efforts have earned him widespread respect and admiration.

In conclusion, Kumar Sangakkara is a true legend of the sport. He has inspired generations of cricketers in Sri Lanka and beyond, and his impact on the game will be felt for years to come. He was not just a great cricketer but also an exceptional leader and a role model for many. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.