Kumar Sangakkara: Sri Lanka's Greatest Cricketer

Kumar Sangakkara retired in 2015 as the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history with 12,400 runs. A left-handed batter from Matale, he formed one of cricket's great partnerships with Mahela Jayawardene and defined Sri Lanka's golden era.

Career statistics

Early career and keeping

Sangakkara debuted in 2000 and initially played as a wicketkeeper-batter. He gave up wicketkeeping duties in Test cricket in 2006 to focus purely on batting — immediately his average began climbing. In ODIs he kept the wicket longer, providing flexibility to the team. His decision to give up the gloves in Tests is credited with unlocking his full batting potential.

The Sangakkara-Jayawardene era

From 2006 to 2014, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were the two pillars of Sri Lanka's batting. They set the highest-ever Test partnership record — 624 — against South Africa in 2006 (Sangakkara 287, Jayawardene 374). Their consistency at 3 and 4 meant Sri Lanka were competitive against any team.

2014 World T20 win

Sangakkara was an integral part of Sri Lanka's 2014 ICC World T20 win in Bangladesh, where they defeated India in the final. He had previously been part of the 1996 ODI World Cup winning squad as a youngster.

MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture

Sangakkara's 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, delivered at Lord's, is one of the most powerful speeches ever given at a cricket ground. He spoke of Sri Lanka's civil war, sport as a unifying force, the responsibility of cricketers, and the soul of the game. It was awarded the Wisden Cricket Monthly Spirit of Cricket Award in 2020.

Legacy

Sangakkara became the president of MCC in 2019 — the first non-British or non-Irish person to hold the role. He is regarded as one of the three or four greatest Test batters of all time and the finest wicketkeeper-batter combination of the modern era. Sri Lanka have struggled to replace him since his retirement.