Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara is a Sri Lankan batter and former wicketkeeper who scored over 12,000 Test runs at an average above 57, among the highest ever.

Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara was born in Matale, Sri Lanka in 1977 and became the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history and one of the finest wicketkeeper-batsmen the game has produced. His Test record: 12,400 runs in 134 matches at 57.40 with 38 centuries — the most by any Sri Lankan and second only to Tendulkar in total runs. His ODI record: 14,234 runs in 404 matches at 41.98 with 25 centuries — the second-highest ODI run total in history. He took 182 dismissals as wicketkeeper. He played county cricket for Surrey, Durham and Warwickshire. He captained Sri Lanka from 2009 to 2011. In the 2015 Cricket World Cup he scored 4 consecutive centuries in the group stage — the only player to achieve this in World Cup history. He won the ICC Player of Year and ODI Player of Year double in 2012. He was Wisden Cricketer of Year in 2012. His record of being the only player to score 14,000+ ODI runs and average over 57 in Tests simultaneously places him among the three or four finest batsmen in cricket history. He was president of MCC in 2019 — the first non-British holder of the role.

Sangakkara was renowned for his classical left-handed batting technique, combining elegance with effectiveness across all formats. He possessed exceptional footwork against spin bowling and was equally adept at building innings and accelerating when required. His wicket-keeping was reliable and athletic, though he eventually gave up the gloves to focus on his batting.

Sangakkara is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history and helped elevate Sri Lankan cricket to new heights during his era. His leadership, both on and off the field, inspired a generation of Sri Lankan cricketers.

• ICC Cricketer of the Year 2011
• ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
• MCC President 2019-20