Why Sangakkara is integral to Sri Lanka - Opinion
Cricket followers from the early 2000s till present would have acknowledged that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Romesh-Shantha-Kaluwitharana-c86641. There were the odd ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ whenever a catch would be
spilled by him when his side was taking on a ruthless http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 outfit in sweltering conditions in the Cherry Blossom Sharjah Cup of 2001-02.
Sangakkara had talent back then but unlike so many cricketers of his age who left after sparks of brilliance, Kumar Sangakkara kept on believing that he could cement himself into cricketing folklore, which he eventually did.
For a batsman who pleases the eye, Sangakkara is ideal. Flashing wrists, a strong bottom hand technique and a cover drive which speaks to the Gods has made him a player which neutrals can’t help getting overwhelmed by. As a spokesman for the game and an
erudite lawyer, his gentleman like behavior has helped him receive accolades wherever he goes.
Such is the impact of education on the gentleman’s game that you barely witness Sangakkara getting flustered or agitated despite his reputation as a skilled sledger. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 had to bear the brunt of his whippy sledging at Kingsmead
in the 2003 world cup, where his side once again succumbed to fate in a crucial game. Sangakkara however, used his sledging to perfection as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 qualified for yet another semi final.
The tale was the same eight years later and even before that, with his iconic stumping of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brian-Charles-Lara-c48471 in a world cup game at the Providence Stadium safely secure in any passionate cricketers mind. His wicket keeping is of pure class, with his ability to snap
catches putting him alongside the likes of Gilchrist, Boucher and Flower. The World Cup final of 2011 was another example where Sangakkara's men gave the Indians a run for their money and were arguably the most attractive side in the entire tournament. Yet
Sangakkara is more than just captaincy and skill. He is an example that many young batsmen model themselves upon.
Sangakkara’s assets are a combination of calmness, resilience, skill and determination. Normally, one of these characteristics would typify a batsman. The now retired Brian Lara would be considered as a skilled genius, whereas the brash http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 would
be considered as determined. Sangakkara combines all these attributes in one level headed manner which is reflected in his stroke play. His 192 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart was an innings which typified a man who kept on battling it out
as his countrymen fell to the pressure exerted by the Aussies. Sri Lanka fell short in registering a historic win, yet the standing ovation which Sanga received at the end of his innings was the icing on the cake. Australia’s victory was overshadowed by lauding
how one man carried the burden of his team on his shoulders.
The retirement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ST-Jayasuriya-c2567 and over reliance on other spear heads such as Mahela Jayawardena, were factors in bringing Sangakkara into the lime light. For the most part of the early 2000s, Sangakkara was expected to provide a secondary hand to Jayasuriya,
De Silva and Atapattu. Yet his role changed significantly afterwards, which is probably one of the reasons why Sangakkara’s achievements are even more significant and are worth appreciating. Becoming a senior player in a team can be challenging as much as
rewarding with many jittering over the very idea. Yet his suave approach towards the game helped him and surprised many who would end up spending a wealth of money to watch him and Jayawardena bat and guide Sri Lanka to victory on numerous occasions. Not many
would forget the mammoth partnership of 624 for the third wicket he shared with Jayawardena, where the latter managed to have a sniff at breaking the world record at the SSC against a potent South African attack.
For the classical observer, Sangakkara is a delight and it wouldn’t be surprising that his fans would shed tears as did Brian Lara's, when he walks off the cricket field for the final time. His worshippers would want that moment to stay away and watch yet
another silken cover drive being drilled through the covers with ease by this glorified cricketer.
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