Kumar Sangakkara Quotes

Kumar Sangakkara is a former Sri Lankan international cricketer and former captain of the Sri Lankan national team. He is widely regarded as one of the world's most influential cricketers and one of the greatest batsmen of all-time. Sangakkara has forged many formidable partnerships with long time teammate and friend, Mahela Jayawardene and holds numerous batting records in the modern era across all formats of the game. Sangakkara scored 28,016 runs in international cricket across all formats in a career that spanned 15 years.A left-handed top-order batsman, he is also a record-breaking wicket-keeper, although he no longer kept wicket at the end of his Test career. Currently, he is the second-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket and the sixth-highest run scorer in Test cricket.Sangakkara is described as one of the "most polished and prudent of batsmen" in cricket. He dominated the number one spot in the ICC Test batting rankings between 2005 and 2015.

Sangakkara was a key member of the team that won the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and was part of the team that made the final of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup, 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and 2012 ICC World Twenty20. He won the Man of the Match award in the final of the 2014 ICC World Twenty20, where he helped the team win their first title.

He was the youngest person and the first active international player to deliver the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, which was widely praised by the cricketing community for its outspoken nature.In terms of a number of innings required, Sangakkara is the fastest batsman to reach 8,000, 9,000, 11,000 and 12,000 runs in Test cricket. He is also joint fastest to 10,000. He won the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2012, Test Cricketer of the Year in 2012, and ODI Cricketer of the Year multiple times in 2011 and 2013. He has also won the LG People's Choice Award twice, in 2011 and 2012. Sangakkara has regularly featured in the World Test XI and World ODI XI, appearing six times and three times in them, respectively. He was selected as Leading Cricketer in the World in the 2015 edition of Wisden.

He was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2011 and 2015. He is one of two players to have won this award twice, along with Indian opener Virender Sehwag, who won the award in 2008 and 2009. Sangakkara was rated as the Greatest ODI player of all time in a public poll conducted by Cricket Australia in 2016.

On 29 January 2015, Sangakkara became Sri Lanka's highest ever ODI run scorer, surpassing the previous record of 13,430 runs held by Sanath Jayasuriya. In the same match, he also broke the record for ODI wicketkeeping dismissals, breaking the previous record of 472 held by Adam Gilchrist.

✵ 27. October 1977
Kumar Sangakkara photo
Kumar Sangakkara: 20   quotes 0   likes

Famous Kumar Sangakkara Quotes

“Disappointing to get only 150 after the start we got. Time now to take stock and reassess our squad to ensure the right combo for the t20 WC”

Referring to the lose of Sri Lanka from a game against Pakistan (cricket), quoted on ZNews.India, "Kumar Sangakkara calls for reassessment of Sri Lankan team ahead of World Twenty20" http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup-2016/kumar-sangakkara-sri-lankan-legend-calls-for-reassessment-ahead-of-world-twenty20_1862556.html, March 5, 2016.

“He is an extremely messy person, the messiest on earth. But he loves to cook and absolutely loves making pasta at home. We never discussed cricket at home and always made sure there was life away from the sport at home. Conversations revolved around kids and made sure there was life beyond the sport. Kumar is a very relaxed, open sort of person. He has never demanded much. (But) He will have to get used to our routine now. He will of course still play some cricket for a year or two.”

Kumar's wife, Yehali Sangakkara, quoted on sports.ndtv, "Kumar Sangakkara is Extremely Messy, Would Love to Have Him at Home Now: Yehali Sangakkara" http://sports.ndtv.com/sri-lanka-vs-india-2015/news/247313-kumar-sangakkara-is-extremely-messy-would-love-to-have-him-at-home-now-yehali-sangakkara, August 21, 2015.
About

“Sri Lanka will suffer with their batting after Sangakkara's retirement. It will be very difficult for them to win the next Test without him around”

Sunil Gavaskar, "Kumar Sangakkara's Retirement Will Hit Sri Lanka Hard, Says Sunil Gavaskar" http://sports.ndtv.com/sri-lanka-vs-india-2015/news/247486-kumar-sangakkara-s-retirement-will-hit-sri-lanka-hard-says-sunil-gavaskar, August 24, 2015.
About

Kumar Sangakkara Quotes

“India always seem to be the more mature side in World Cups than Pakistan, no matter how many senior players are there in their squad”

Sangakkara on how Pakistan is a better team than India, quoted on Sports.ndtv.com, "Why Pakistan Can Never Beat India in World Cups - Kumar Sangakkara, Sunil Gavaskar Explain" http://sports.ndtv.com/icc-world-twenty20-2016/news/256674-why-pakistan-can-never-beat-india-in-world-cups-kumar-sangakkara-sunil-gavaskar-explain, March 21, 2016.
Context: India always plays a big tournament in a very settled manner. They trust their players and are always consistent in their selection. They always approach a game with a sense of confidence in their abilities and the selection they have made. When it comes to Pakistan, they come to tournaments unsettled, with a lot of controversy and lots of doubts over selection. There seems to be lot of talk even within the team and around the team, even by the management. When it comes to crucial rivalry and the stakes are high, India seems to control their emotion and execute their game-plan. Whenever Pakistan play India, the former seems to be rattled. India always seem to be the more mature side in World Cups than Pakistan, no matter how many senior players are there in their squad.

“It's important to understand that when you're fielding is when you're essentially marshalling your troops, strategising and making the hard decisions. That's when you're really captaining. If you can break that down and come to grips with it, it becomes a bit easier”

Context: Sangakkara: Sometimes, you fall into that trap where you think, 'I'm the captain and I've got to do a lot more than I was doing before'. But it's very important to compartmentalise leadership. When you're batting, you bat as a batsman and find ways to score runs. To be effective for your side, you don't have to have the captain's cap on all the time because it's just of no use, as if you do get out and are sitting in the dressing room, there's not much captaining left for you to do. It's important to understand that when you're fielding is when you're essentially marshalling your troops, strategising and making the hard decisions. That's when you're really captaining. If you can break that down and come to grips with it, it becomes a bit easier.

“Sangakkara: It's a great sport to play. It's a very special sport because it's one that's got a certain character to it that is not present in other sports. But there's also an expectation of a cricketer that is to be much more than in any other sport. So it's a great test of character for a young kid, but at the same time, it's a great skilful athletic sport that's a viable profession that gives great opportunities as long as you understand that playing this game to the best of your abilities in the most honest manner possible is what will open those doors for you.”

So if you're taking up the sport, take it up seriously. Have fun, enjoy it, otherwise you won't do well, but when you do get those opportunities, ensure that you leave a mark.
"Leadership, at times, is a lonely place: Kumar Sangakkara" http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/78506/leadership-at-times-is-a-lonely-place-kumar-sangakkara-former-sri-lanka-cricket-team-captain (Interview; March 9, 2016)

“I just want to congratulate Kumar again on a wonderful career. I have spoken a lot about him, everyone has, in the last week, but I can't help saying it again that it has been an absolute pleasure playing with you.”

Virat Kohli, "Virat Kohli Says it Has Been a Pleasure Playing With Kumar Sangakkara" http://sports.ndtv.com/sri-lanka-vs-india-2015/news/247470-virat-kohli-says-it-has-been-a-pleasure-playing-with-kumar-sangakkara, August 24, 2015.
About

“Sanga is a knowledgeable player and will be able to motivate the players”

Mohan De Silva, the Honorary Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), on Sangakarra joining the Sri Lanka squad in India, quoted on Deccan Chronicle, "Kumar Sangakkara to join Sri Lanka squad in India" http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/cricket/160316/icc-world-twenty20-sangakkara-to-join-sri-lanka-squad.html, March 16, 2016.
About

“It was rumored that @ShaneWarne was bitten by a snake during a dare on the show but don't worry twitterverse the snake is absolutely fine.”

twitter post, Sangakkara referring to a recent incident when Shane Warne plunged headfirst into a box filled with snakes on an episode of Network Ten show "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!". When Shane lowered his head into the box, an aggressive anaconda bit him, quoted on Sportskeeda, "Kumar Sangakkara trolls Shane Warne over the 'snake-bite' incident" http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/kumar-sangakkara-trolls-shane-warne-snake-bite-incident, March 3, 2016. "It's the last time I'll play a four day game here.I'll be 40 in a few months ,this is about the end of my time in county cricket."

“Disappointed we didn't win it for Sanga. We promised him we would play our best cricket, but we didn't. On behalf of the team, we can't thank Sanga enough for his services over the last 15 years.”

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said that he was disappointed that the team could not gift a farewell win to batting great Kumar Sangakkara, who retired from cricket at the P Sara Oval, quoted on sports.ndtv, "Angelo Mathews Unhappy Sri Lanka Did Not Win it for Kumar Sangakkara" http://sports.ndtv.com/sri-lanka-vs-india-2015/news/247472-angelo-mathews-unhappy-sri-lanka-did-not-win-it-for-kumar-sangakkara, August 24, 2015.
About

“I think he is one of the greatest, without a doubt. He is one of the game's terrific players and I wish him best for the future”

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has called Kumar Sangakkara a terrific player, quoted on sports.ndtv, "Kumar Sangakkara Was a Terrific Player, Says Adam Gilchrist" http://sports.ndtv.com/sri-lanka-vs-india-2015/news/247481-kumar-sangakkara-was-a-terrific-player-says-adam-gilchrist, August 24, 2015.
About

“You would always prefer to give back to your own country first but the way Mahela conducted himself as a player for Sri Lanka over the years has been exemplary”

Kumar Sangakkara on Mahela as a coaching consultant for England, quoted on The Guardian, "Kumar Sangakkara: England made smart move on mentor Mahela Jayawardene" http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/13/kumar-sangakkara-england-mahela-jayawardene-world-twenty20-sri-lanka, March 13, 2016.

Similar authors

Shahrukh Khan photo
Shahrukh Khan 75
Indian actor, producer and television personality
Rohit Sharma photo
Rohit Sharma 9
Indian cricketer
Sanju Samson photo
Sanju Samson 4
Indian cricketer
MS Dhoni photo
MS Dhoni 40
Indian cricket player
Anil Kumble photo
Anil Kumble 22
Former Indian cricketer
Steve Smith (cricketer) photo
Steve Smith (cricketer) 3
Australian international cricketer
Sachin Tendulkar photo
Sachin Tendulkar 13
A former Indian cricketer from India and one of the greates…
Joe Root photo
Joe Root 4
English cricketer
Mashrafe Mortaza photo
Mashrafe Mortaza 8
Bangladeshi international cricketer and politician