Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara was born to Swarnakumara Sangakkara and Kumari Surangana on 27th October 1977 in Matale. Youngest in the family, Sangakkara was brought up in Kandy. A towering figure in the Sri Lankan international cricket team, Sangakkara has taken up many roles in his career. This left-handed batsman was the pillar of the Sri Lankan top order and alongside kept the wickets for his team. He had also taken up responsibilities of his side and was the captain of the squad. He made his way into the squad at the age of 22.

Career Highlights:

• List A debut in 1997-1998
• First Class debut 1997-1998
• ODI debut against Pakistan on 5th July 2000 at Galle and scored 35 odd runs
• Test debut against South Africa on 20th July 2000 at Galle, and scored 23.
• His first T20 was against England at Southampton on 15th July 2006 where Sri Lanka won by 2 runs.
• First test century in August 2001, against India
• First double century against Pakistan at the 2002 Asian Test Championship
• Against Pakistan he got his first ODI century in April 2003
• He was the captain of the Sri Lankan team from February 2009 till 2011 World Cup

Achievements:

• First Man of the Match award in 2000’s Singer Triangular Series against South Africa
• Highest partnership world record in test cricket between him and Mahela Jayawardene -624 runs
• Won Cricinfo award in 2008 for outstanding batting
• Man of the Series of Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan Test Series in 2011-2012
• In ICC Awards 2011, Sangakkara won the Keeper-Captain of ICC World XI Test squad, ODI Cricketer of the year and People’s Choice Awards.
• In the year 2012, Sangakkara was name as one of the Wisden’s five Cricketer.

1. In Top 15 For Most Centuries in ODI
2. He has hit four consecutive centuries (hundreds) in ODI during ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. 
   First (105 runs not out) against Bangladesh
   Second (117 runs not out) against England
   Third (104 runs) against Australia
   Fourth (124 runs) against Scotland