About
Biography
Kumar Sangakkara, born on October 27, 1977, in Matale, Sri Lanka, is a former professional cricketer and one of the leading batsmen in the history of the sport. He made his international debut in 2000 and quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Sri Lankan national team, known for his elegant batting style and sharp cricketing acumen. Throughout his career, Sangakkara excelled in all formats, amassing over 12,000 runs in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches.
Sangakkara's career is marked by several notable achievements, including being part of the Sri Lankan team that reached the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cups in 2003 and 2007, and winning the ICC T20 World Cup in 2014. He holds the distinction of being the first player in history to score four consecutive centuries in the ICC Cricket World Cup and was named ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2012. Furthermore, he has been recognized as one of the finest wicketkeeper-batsmen of all time, with over 1,300 dismissals as a keeper.
After retiring from international cricket in 2015, Sangakkara has remained influential in the sport as a commentator and mentor. He served as the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2019, becoming the first non-British individual to hold this esteemed position. His legacy is characterized by his exceptional sportsmanship, philanthropy, and contributions to cricket's development, inspiring future generations of players in Sri Lanka and beyond.