Classical Kumar Sangakara

Srilankan Cricket Player Kumar Sangakkara

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sri Lankan Cricket Player - Kumar Sangakkara

Full name Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara

Born October 27, 1977, Matale

Current age 33 years 153 days

Major teams Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Central Province, Colombo District Cricket Association, ICC World XI, Kandurata, Kings XI Punjab, Marylebone Cricket Club, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Warwickshire

Playing role Wicketkeeper batsman

Batting style Left-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm offbreak

Fielding position Wicketkeeper

World Cup span 2003-2011
ODI debut Sri Lanka v Pakistan at Galle, Jul 5, 2000
Last ODI Sri Lanka v England at Colombo (RPS), Mar 26, 2011
List A debut 1997/98
Last List A Sri Lanka v England at Colombo (RPS), Mar 26, 2011

Profile
Sangakkara combines the role of articulate leader and safe wicketkeeper to that of being the motor in Sri Lanka's middle-order. He is among the few players around whose batting retains its elegance while meeting the ever-increasing run-rates demanded by the limited-overs game. He has hovered around the top of the Test batting rankings for several years now, but is yet to reach the same heights in one-day cricket. Taking over the captaincy in 2009 from Mahela Jayawardene, he led Sri Lanka to a near-perfect 2010 in the one-dayers, winning every series they entered except the Asia Cup.

Strengths
An all-weather batsman who relishes scoring when run-making is difficult, range of strokes make him difficult to tie down

Key stats
Sangakkara averages 36.86 in ODIs, but in 2010, he averaged 48.40 with seven fifties
In home matches, Sangakkara has scored just one century and averages just over 32. In matches outside Sri Lanka, he averages 39.07 with nine centuries
All stats are updated till the start of the World Cup

World Cup tracker
Had a quiet World Cup in 2003, making 176 runs at 25.14 in nine innings, with a highest of 39 in the semi-final against Australia He had a better time in 2007, with four half-centuries including one in the final. His best innings was an unbeaten 69 that guided Sri Lanka to victory over New Zealand in the Super Eights.

Expert view
"Probably the most versatile player in cricket today. A leader who has personality and earns a lot of respect by way of performance."- Marvan Atapattu, former Sri Lanka captain