Throughout his cricketing career, Kumar Sangakkara mesmerized the cricketing fandom with his sheer artistry and elegance. There are very few sights in cricket more aesthetic and pleasurable than witnessing the free-flowing, flamboyant Sangakkara at his best.
Sangakkara never hammered the bowlers. Instead, he killed them slowly with a perfect blend of flair, mastery and the ease with which he pierced the ball through the gaps.
Arguably the greatest ever batsman to emerge from a tiny island nation, Sanga is a gem of a person in real life too. He knows the responsibility a person of his stature carries beyond the periphery of the cricket ground. And therefore, he can be often heard talking eloquently about systemic injustices on oppressed minorities, advocating peace and communal harmony in his country.
In his ‘Q&A’ session with fans on Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) official Twitter handle, Sangakkara was asked to name his favourite batsmen.
The current MCC president unhesitatingly went ahead with Brian Lara and Vivian Richards.
“It was Sir Viv Richards up until Brian Lara came around – since then they shared an equal importance on my list,” Sangakkara replied.
“Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara were my batting heroes. I’d say the 1996 Sri Lanka World-Cup winning side inspired me to play international cricket too,” he added.
KS: “It was Sir Viv Richards up until Brian Lara came around – since then they shared an equal importance on my list.”#AskKumar https://t.co/aBYqMS7XIY
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) August 7, 2020
Sangakkara further revealed the bowlers whom he found tough to face. He named Pakistan’s legend Wasim Akram and Zaheer Khan from India.
“Wasim Akram, was a nightmare to face. Zaheer Khan I faced many times and was extremely difficult also,” he said.
KS: “Wasim Akram, was a nightmare to face.
“Zaheer Khan I faced many times and was extremely difficult also.”#AskKumar https://t.co/fuAFLsOBuk
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) August 7, 2020
The Sri Lankan legend played 133 Test matches for his nation and scored 12,310 runs at an astounding average of 57.79. He smashed 38 Test centuries and 51 half-centuries in his cricketing career.
Sangakkara ranks sixth in the least of leading run-getters in Test cricket. While in ODIs, he is second only to the iconic Sachin Tendulkar.
