Kumar Sangakkara, the name instantly brings to mind class, elegance, and pure cricketing brilliance. A true Sri Lankan legend, Sangakkara is one of the finest batters the game has ever seen. With over 28,000 international runs to his name, he left a legacy that’s still celebrated around the world.
Whether it was his calm presence behind the stumps or his effortless strokeplay with the bat, Sangakkara made batting look like poetry in motion. He’s currently the president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and remains actively involved in shaping the future of cricket.
Sangakkara’s Cricketing Heroes: Two West Indian Giants
In a Q&A session with fans on MCC’s official Twitter channel, Sangakkara was asked to name his all-time favourite batsman. And his answer was honest and heartfelt.
“It was Sir Viv Richards up until Brian Lara came around – since then they shared an equal importance on my list,” Sangakkara revealed.
That’s right — the two men who inspired the Sri Lankan great the most were none other than Sir Vivian Richards and Brian Lara, both legends from the West Indies. Known for their flair, confidence, and dominance over bowlers, it’s easy to see why Sangakkara looked up to them.
He went on to add:
“Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara were my batting heroes. I’d say the 1996 Sri Lanka World-Cup winning side inspired me to playing international cricket too.”
That iconic World Cup win for Sri Lanka clearly sparked a fire in young Sangakkara — one that turned him into a cricketing icon himself.
A Career Worth Remembering
Sangakkara’s career was nothing short of extraordinary. He retired as the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs and ranks sixth in the all-time Test run charts. He captained Sri Lanka to the finals of the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC World Cup, where they unfortunately fell just short.
But redemption came in 2014, when Sri Lanka finally lifted the ICC T20 World Cup, with Sangakkara playing a key role in that glorious campaign.