Tag: Matale

Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara – Profile:

Name Kumar Sangakkara
Player Type Left-handed batsman, Wicket-keeper
Date of Birth October 27, 1977
Father’s Name Kshema Sangakkara
Birthplace Matale, Sri Lanka
Career Start July 20, 2000
Retirement Date August 24, 2015
Matches Played 134 (ODIs), 134 (Tests), 56 (T20Is)
Centuries 25 (ODIs), 38 (Tests), 1 (T20Is)
Half Centuries 93 (ODIs), 52 (Tests), 13 (T20Is)
Ducks 14 (ODIs), 11 (Tests), 6 (T20Is)
Nervous Nineties 7 (ODIs), 5 (Tests), 2 (T20Is)
Wickets 0 (ODIs), 0 (Tests), 0 (T20Is)
Captainship 45 (ODIs), 15 (Tests), 22 (T20Is)
Man of the Matches 12 (ODIs), 5 (Tests), 3 (T20Is)

Biography:

Kumar Sangakkara, born on October 27, 1977, in Matale, Sri Lanka, is a legendary left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. His cricket journey began on July 20, 2000, and he gracefully retired from all formats of the game on August 24, 2015. With 134 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), 134 Test matches, and 56 T20 Internationals (T20Is) under his belt, he etched his name as one of Sri Lanka’s finest cricketers.

Throughout his illustrious career, Kumar Sangakkara displayed remarkable consistency and elegance with the bat. He scored 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries in ODIs, 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries in Test matches, and one century and 13 half-centuries in T20Is. Though he encountered the infamous “Nervous Nineties” on several occasions, he still managed to convert many of them into three-figure scores.

While his batting prowess was unmatched, Kumar Sangakkara’s skill with the gloves as a wicket-keeper was also commendable. He held records for the most dismissals in ODIs and Test cricket during his time.

Additionally, Sangakkara was entrusted with leadership responsibilities in different formats. He captained the Sri Lankan team in 45 ODIs, 15 Test matches, and 22 T20Is, leaving an indelible mark as a leader.

The cricketing world recognized Sangakkara’s contributions, and he received numerous Man of the Match awards across the formats. His performances in critical situations and his ability to anchor innings made him a valuable asset to the Sri Lankan team.

World Records:

Below are some of the notable world records held by Kumar Sangakkara in each format:

One-Day Internationals (ODIs):

Record Number
Most consecutive ODI centuries 4
Most runs in a calendar year (ODIs) 1,493
Most dismissals as a wicket-keeper (ODIs) 482

Test Matches:

Record Number
Most consecutive Test centuries 4
Most double centuries as a Test captain 11
Most run in a single Test series 1,444

T20 Internationals (T20Is):

Record Number
Most runs in T20 World Cups 1,345
Most dismissals as a wicket-keeper (T20Is) 133

Brand Endorsements:

Kumar Sangakkara’s stature as a cricketing icon also earned him numerous brand endorsements. His charisma, personality, and popularity made him a sought-after ambassador for various products and services. His endorsements ranged from sports brands to lifestyle products, and he was a familiar face in advertising campaigns across Sri Lanka and internationally.

Overall, Kumar Sangakkara’s contribution to cricket, both on and off the field, has left an indelible legacy, inspiring generations of cricketers in Sri Lanka and beyond. His records and achievements have secured his place among the all-time greats of the sport, and he continues to be an influential figure in the cricketing world.