Kumar Sangakkara is a famous cricket player from Sri Lanka. He played as a batsman and captain. Many people know him for his skill and calm nature. After retiring, he became a cricket coach and writer. A true sportsman.
Biography
| Full Name | Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara |
|---|---|
| Native Name | කුමාර් චොක්ශනාද සංගක්කාර (Sinhala) |
| Date of Birth | 27 October 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Matale, Central Province, Sri Lanka |
| Playing Role | Wicket-keeper-batter |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off spin (rarely bowled) |
| International Career | 2000 – 2015 |
| Captaincy | Former captain of Sri Lanka in all formats |
| Domestic Teams |
Nondescripts Cricket Club (1997–98 to 2013–14), Surrey County Cricket Club (2015 to 2017) |
| Major Team Achievements |
Asian Test Championship Winner (2001-02), ICC Champions Trophy Winner (2002), T20 World Cup Winner (2014) |
| Test Centuries | 38 (Highest by a wicket-keeper) |
| ODI Centuries | 25 (Highest by a wicket-keeper) |
| Total International Runs | 28,016 runs including 63 centuries (2nd highest overall) |
| ICC Awards |
Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year) 2012, ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2012, ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year 2011 & 2013 |
| Wisden Recognition | Leading Men’s Cricketer in the World (2011 & 2014) |
| Test Runs Milestone | One of 15 players with 10,000+ Test runs (Highest average among them as of July 2025) |
| Post-retirement Roles |
Commentator for Sky Sports, President of MCC (Oct 2019 – Sep 2021), Coach of Rajasthan Royals IPL team (2021-2024) |
| ICC Cricket Hall of Fame | Inducted June 2021 (2nd Sri Lankan after Muttiah Muralitharan) |
Early Life
Kumar Sangakkara was born in Sri Lanka. He grew up in a city called Kandy. There, he went to a school named Trinity College. This school is known for playing cricket. Kumar liked cricket from a young age. Later, he moved to different places for his cricket career. But Kandy was where he started his journey. Simple beginnings. Big dreams.
Family
| Relation | Name | About |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Kshema Sangakkara | Kshema Sangakkara is an attorney. He worked as a lawyer in Sri Lanka. He comes from Matale, a town in Sri Lanka. |
| Mother | Kumari Sangakkara | Kumari Sangakkara is a homemaker. She has supported her family and helped raise Kumar and his siblings. |
| Sibling (Sister) | Thushari Sangakkara | Thushari is Kumar’s sister. She is part of the family and shares a close bond with Kumar. |
| Sibling (Brother) | Not publicly known | Kumar has a brother, but his name is not widely shared in public information. |
Kumar Sangakkara grew up in a family that values education and support. His father, Kshema, worked as a lawyer and taught Kumar about discipline. His mother, Kumari, took care of the home and family. Kumar has a sister named Thushari, who is close to him. He also has a brother, but not much is known about him. The family is from Matale, Sri Lanka, and they have always been important in Kumar’s life.
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm leg break |
| Role | Wicket-keeper batsman |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Kumar Sangakkara is married to his wife, Yehali Sangakkara. They first met when they were in school in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Kumar showed his love for Yehali through poems and kind actions. Yehali is a private person and has supported Kumar through his cricket career. She is also involved in charity work. The couple has stayed together since their school days and got married later.
They have a strong relationship built on trust and friendship. Their story is simple but inspiring, showing love growing from young friendship to marriage.
Previous Relationships
There are no public reports of Kumar Sangakkara having other wives or girlfriends before Yehali. His relationship history is mainly known to be with Yehali only.
Summary Table Of Relationship
| Partner Name | Relationship Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Yehali Sangakkara | Wife |
Met in school in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Married (exact marriage date not widely publicized). Yehali is private, supportive, and involved in charity. They have a strong and lasting relationship. |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the most well-known cricketers from Sri Lanka. He became famous because of his excellent skills as a batsman and wicketkeeper. Many cricket fans around the world know him for his smart playing and calm leadership. He is often called one of the best cricket players from Sri Lanka.
Kumar started his cricket career playing for local clubs in Sri Lanka. He made his international debut in 2000. Over time, he became very important for the Sri Lankan national team. He played as a left-handed batsman and also kept wickets for the team. Sangakkara was known for scoring many runs and helping his team win matches.
He also served as the captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka won several important games, including some tri-series tournaments. Besides playing, he has worked as a coach and cricket commentator after retiring from international cricket.
- Holds the record for most runs scored for Sri Lanka in Test cricket.
- Has the highest number of centuries (100 runs or more in a single innings) and half-centuries for Sri Lanka.
- Was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2012.
- First non-English player to become President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).
- Ranked among the top batsmen in the world during his playing career.
Kumar Sangakkara’s career was mostly clean, but there were a few controversies. Some critics said that Sri Lankan cricket had politics involved, which sometimes affected players and team decisions. Sangakkara spoke openly about these problems after his retirement.
There were also debates about his captaincy and team selections during his time as leader. However, no major personal scandals or serious issues have been linked to him.
In short, Kumar Sangakkara is a respected figure in cricket. He started from local clubs and became one of the best players in the world. His records and leadership helped Sri Lanka in many matches. Though there were some talks about cricket politics, his reputation stays strong as a great player and sportsman.
Faq
Who Is Kumar Sangakkara?
Kumar Sangakkara is a famous cricket player from Sri Lanka. He is known for his skill as a batsman and also for being a good wicketkeeper.
When Did Kumar Sangakkara Play Cricket?
He played international cricket from 2000 to 2015. During this time, he became one of the best players in the world.
What Are Some Of His Achievements?
Sangakkara scored many runs and made many centuries (100 runs in one game). He also helped Sri Lanka reach important finals in big tournaments.
Did Kumar Sangakkara Play In All Types Of Cricket?
Yes, he played in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) matches for Sri Lanka.
What Did He Do After Retiring?
After retiring, Sangakkara worked as a cricket commentator and coach. He also took part in cricket administration.
Why Is Kumar Sangakkara Important In Cricket?
He is one of the best batsmen Sri Lanka has ever had. Many people respect him for his skill and his work on and off the field.
Mayank Chaudhary is a former Indian domestic cricketer, now working as a cricket analyst. With years of on-field experience and deep insight into the dynamics of the game and the world of cricket betting, he now shares his expertise to help fellow cricket enthusiasts make smarter, more informed bets. Learn more on the About Me page.