http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758’s modern day great – Player Profile
Left-handed wicketkeeper batsman, Kumar Sangakkara, has been an indispensable cog in the Lankan cricket machinery. His composed demeanour and sound batting skills have been crucial in bringing stability to a team still struggling in the transition from one generation to another.
‘Sanga’, born in 1977, made his One Day International debut in 2000, against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757. Today, he is considered one of the modern greats of the game, with an ODI batting average of 38.21 (after 325 matches) and 54.86 in the longer format of the game (108 matches). With a total of 41 International centuries to his credit, only 17 came at home (16 Test tons and 1 ODI century).
The wicketkeeper batsman who broke records set by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397, in 2006, before taking the reins in 2009.
His last assignment as the captain of the team was the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691, as the second highest scorer of the event.
However, Sanga had already announced his wish to resign from captaincy after the World Cup, and so he did, to make room for Dilshan. Under Sangakkara, the Lankans had won 44 out of 81 International matches, losing only 26 (others account for drawn matches), a record not to be scoffed at, but the left-hander had his own reasons for deciding to forego leadership.
Unfortunately, the Lankan team went into a downward spiral under Dilshan, whose own form faltered under pressure as well, inviting stark criticism and eventually prompting SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) to bring back the tested veteran, Mahela Jayawardene, who is currently the skipper.
Later in 2011, on tour to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, Sangakkara got the opportunity of a life-time, to deliver the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, at the historic Lord’s stadium. Sanga spoke about the history of his country and its relation to Cricket, as a force which binds and unites people.
“Cricket in Sri Lanka is no longer just a sport: it is a shared passion that is a source of fun and a force for unity. It is a treasured sport that occupies a celebrated place in our society,” said Sangakkara, before going on to speak about the origins of the game in Ceylon. The former skipper also shed light on the importance of cricketers like Jayasuriya and Muralitharan, “We as a nation must be ever so thankful to the parents of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Jayasuriya-c2567 and Muthhih Muralidaran for having sired these two legends to serve our cricket at its time of greatest need.”
Most recently, the Lankan top-order batsman was engaged in the Indian Premier League, where he leads the Deccan Chargers. Unfortunately for him however, the side finished 2nd last, with only 4 wins from 16 matches. While many things, ranging from poor fielding and a lacking roster were cited as reasons for the franchise’s dismal showing, Sangakkara himself seemed out of sorts, having scored only 200 runs from 12 matches at a below-par average of 18.18.
Today, Sangakkara’s role is not limited to the field. He is much more valuable to the nation with his expertise and experience, which should be properly utilized in the rebuilding process. He, alongside Mahela Jayawardene, should look ahead and aim to forge a unit which can stand on its own, without depending on the previous generation.
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