Kumar Sangakkara: Sri Lanka's Greatest — Most ODI Centuries (25), 28,016 International Runs
Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara is a Sri Lankan cricketer born on 27 October 1977 in Matale, Sri Lanka. He is regarded as one of the greatest left-handed batsmen and wicketkeeper-batsmen in cricket history. He scored 12,400 Test runs at 57.40 with 38 Test centuries — the fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history. He scored 14,234 ODI runs at 41.98 with 25 ODI centuries — the most centuries in ODI cricket history. His combined international run tally of 28,016 across Tests and ODIs is the second-highest of any non-Tendulkar player. He was named ICC Player of the Year in 2012. He scored four consecutive ODI centuries at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. He represented Sri Lanka in 134 Tests and 404 ODIs. He retired from international cricket in August 2015.
Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara was born on 27 October 1977 in Matale, Sri Lanka. He made his Test debut against South Africa in Galle in July 2000 and his ODI debut in July 2000. He served both as wicketkeeper-batsman in his earlier career and as a specialist batsman after relinquishing the gloves. His left-handed batting was defined by elegance, precision, and an almost metronomic consistency — he averaged over 57 in Tests across 134 matches.
Record ODI Centuries and 2015 World Cup
Kumar Sangakkara scored 25 ODI centuries in 404 ODI matches — the most ODI centuries in history, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar's 49 (in a higher number of ODIs). At the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, he scored four consecutive ODI centuries — a record for consecutive hundreds in World Cup history. His combined international run tally of 28,016 (12,400 Test + 14,234 ODI + 1,382 T20I) makes him the second-highest international run-scorer after Tendulkar (34,357). He was ICC Player of the Year in 2012.
MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture
Kumar Sangakkara delivered the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture in 2011 — the first non-English player invited to do so — speaking on Sri Lankan cricket's history and the role of sport in a divided society. He was ICC President from 2020 to 2021. He retired from international cricket in August 2015 after the 2015 World Cup. His 38 Test centuries is the second-most by any non-Tendulkar left-hander in history. He was also a prolific county cricketer — his 2017 season for Surrey produced 1,491 first-class runs including a century in the Royal London Cup final.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kumar Sangakkara's most significant batting record?
Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket history — 25 ODI hundreds in 404 matches. He scored 12,400 Test runs at 57.40 with 38 centuries (fourth-highest in Test history). His combined international run tally of 28,016 is the second-highest of any player after Sachin Tendulkar. At the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, he scored four consecutive ODI centuries — a World Cup record. He was ICC Player of the Year in 2012 and ICC President from 2020 to 2021.