View source for Kumar Sangakkara

{{Short description|Sri Lankan cricketer (born 1977)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
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{{Infobox cricketer
| name               = Kumar Sangakkara
| country            = Sri Lanka
| fullname           = Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara
| image              = Kumar Sangakkara bat in hand.JPG
| caption            = 
| nickname           = Sanga
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1977|10|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Matale]], Sri Lanka
| heightft           = 5
| heightinch         = 10
| batting            = Left-handed
| bowling            = Right-arm [[off spin|off break]]
| role               = [[Wicket-keeper-batter]]
| international      = true
| internationalspan  = 2000–2015
| testdebutdate      = 20 July
| testdebutyear      = 2000
| testdebutagainst   = South Africa
| testcap            = 84
| lasttestdate       = 20 August
| lasttestyear       = 2015
| lasttestagainst    = India
| odidebutdate       = 5 July
| odidebutyear       = 2000
| odidebutagainst    = Pakistan
| odicap             = 105
| lastodidate        = 18 March
| lastodiyear        = 2015
| lastodiagainst     = South Africa
| odishirt           = 84 (2000–2007)<br />11 (2007–2015) 
| T20Idebutdate      = 15 June
| T20Idebutyear      = 2006
| T20Idebutagainst   = England
| T20Icap            = 10
| lastT20Idate       = 6 April
| lastT20Iyear       = 2014
| lastT20Iagainst    = India
| T20Ishirt          = 11
| club1              = [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|Nondescripts]]
| year1              = 1998–2014
| club2              = [[Kandurata cricket team|Kandurata]]
| year2              = 2007–2014
| club3              = [[Warwickshire County Cricket Club|Warwickshire]]
| year3              = 2007
| club4              = [[Kings XI Punjab]]
| year4              = 2008–2010
| club5              = [[Deccan Chargers]]
| year5              = 2011–2012
| club6              = [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]]
| year6              = 2013
| club7              = [[Jamaica Tallawahs]]
| year7              = 2013–2017
| club8              = [[Durham County Cricket Club|Durham]]
| year8              = 2014
| club9              = [[Kandurata Maroons|Udarata Rulers]]
| year9              = 2014
| club10             = [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]]
| year10             = 2015–2017
| club11             = [[Dhaka Dynamites]]
| year11             = 2015–2017
| club12             = [[Hobart Hurricanes]]
| year12             = 2015/16-2016/17
| club13             = [[Quetta Gladiators]]
| year13             = 2016
| club14             = [[Karachi Kings]]
| year14             = 2017
| club15             = [[Multan Sultans]]
| year15             = 2018
| columns            = 4
| column1            = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1           = 134
| runs1              = 12,400
| bat avg1           = 57.40
| 100s/50s1          = 38/52
| top score1         = 319
| deliveries1        = 84
| wickets1           = 0
| bowl avg1          = –
| fivefor1           = –
| tenfor1            = –
| best bowling1      = –
| catches/stumpings1 = 182/20
| column2            = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2           = 404
| runs2              = 14,234
| bat avg2           = 41.98
| 100s/50s2          = 25/93
| top score2         = 169
| deliveries2        = –
| wickets2           = –
| bowl avg2          = –
| fivefor2           = –
| tenfor2            = –
| best bowling2      = –
| catches/stumpings2 = 403/98
| column3            = [[Twenty 20 International|T20I]]
| matches3           = 56
| runs3              = 1,382
| bat avg3           = 31.40
| 100s/50s3          = 0/8
| top score3         = 78
| deliveries3        = –
| wickets3           = –
| bowl avg3          = –
| fivefor3           = –
| tenfor3            = –
| best bowling3      = –
| catches/stumpings3 = 25/20
| column4            = [[First class cricket|FC]]
| matches4           = 260
| runs4              = 20,911
| bat avg4           = 52.40
| 100s/50s4          = 64/86
| top score4         = 319
| deliveries4        = 246
| wickets4           = 1
| bowl avg4          = 150.00
| fivefor4           = 0
| tenfor4            = 0
| best bowling4      = 1/13
| catches/stumpings4 = 373/33
| date               = 19 April
| year               = 2024
| source             = 
https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/kumar-sangakkara-50710 ESPNcricinfo 
| medaltemplates = <!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{SRI}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 West Indies]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011 India–Bangladesh–Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Champions Trophy]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2002 ICC Champions Trophy|2002 Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[T20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009 England]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012 Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asia Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2004 Asia Cup|2004 Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2008 Asia Cup|2008 Pakistan]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2014 Asia Cup|2014 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2010 Asia Cup|2010 Sri Lanka]]|}}
}}

'''Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara''' ({{langx|si|කුමාර් චොක්ශනාද සංගක්කාර}}; born 27 October 1977) is a Sri Lankan former professional [[cricket]]er who represented [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] from 2000 to 2015. A former [[captain (cricket)|captain]] for Sri Lanka in all formats. Born in [[Matale]], [[Central Province, Sri Lanka|Central Province]], Sangakkara played [[first-class cricket]] for [[Nondescripts Cricket Club]] from 1997–98 to 2013–14 and for [[Surrey County Cricket Club]] from 2015 to 2017. He was a key part of the Sri Lankan squads which won the [[2001-02 Asian Test Championship]], [[2002 ICC Champions Trophy]] and [[2014 T20 World Cup]].

Sangakkara played mostly as a [[wicket-keeper-batter]] and is generally regarded as one of the greatest [[wicket-keeper-batter]]s in cricket history.<ref name="TI01">{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/28016-runs-and-678-dismissals-in-international-cricket-is-kumar-sangakkara-the-greatest-wicketkeeper-batsman-of-all-time-506475.html |last=Adhikari |first=Somak |title=28,016 runs and 678 dismissals in international cricket – is Kumar Sangakkara the greatest wicket-keeper-batter of all time? |newspaper=The Times of India |date=24 May 2023 |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705151053/https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/28016-runs-and-678-dismissals-in-international-cricket-is-kumar-sangakkara-the-greatest-wicketkeeper-batsman-of-all-time-506475.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His 38 Test centuries and 25 in ODIs are both highest for a wicket-keeper. He [[batting (cricket)|batted]] left-handed and, although he rarely [[bowling (cricket)|bowled]], was a right-arm [[off spin]]ner. Combining all three forms of international cricket, Sangakkara is the second-highest [[run (cricket)|run]]-scorer, having amassed a total of 28,016 including 63 [[century (cricket)|centuries]].<ref name="KS023">{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/most-runs-in-career-284269 |title=Combined Test, ODI and T20I records – Most runs in career |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=5 July 2023}}</ref> 

He has received four individual [[International Cricket Council|ICC]] awards. In 2012 he won [[Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy]] (ICC Cricketer of the Year) and [[ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year|ICC Test Cricketer of the Year]]. Also he won [[ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year|ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year]] twice in 2011 and 2013.

He was named [[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World|Wisden Leading Men's Cricketer in the World]] for both 2011 and 2014.

{{As of|July 2025}}, Sangakkara is one of only 15 players to have scored [[List of players who have scored 10,000 or more runs in Test cricket|10,000 or more runs]] in [[Test cricket]], and has the highest [[Batting average (cricket)|average]] of those who have achieved this feat.

Since retirement, he has worked as a [[sports commentator|commentator]] for [[Sky Sports]] and served as President of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club|MCC]] from October 2019 to September 2021. In January 2021, Sangakkara  also became the coach of [[Rajasthan Royals]] in the [[Indian Premier League]] from 2021-2024.He was inducted into the [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]] in June 2021, the second Sri Lankan player to be inducted after [[Muttiah Muralitharan]].

==Early life==
Kumar Sangakkara was born in [[Matale]], [[Central Province, Sri Lanka|Central Province]], on 27 October 1977.<ref name="CA1">{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/9506.html |title=Kumar Sangakkara |work=CricketArchive |access-date=24 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928194556/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/9506.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He is the fourth and youngest child of Kshema, a civil lawyer, and Kumari Sangakkara. Kumar was brought up in the family home near [[Kandy]].<ref name="KS010">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/560797.html |last=Hopps |first=David |title=Wisden Cricketers of the Year 2012 – Kumara Sangakkara |date=11 April 2012 |publisher=John Wisden & Co. |access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref> His father was very keen on sport and would daily spend hours coaching his children.<ref name="AFFCS">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/902493 |last=Fernando |first=Andrew Fidel |title=The cult of Sanga |work=The Cricket Monthly |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=August 2015 |access-date=3 August 2015 |archive-date=5 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805233617/http://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/902493 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara's childhood, youth and most of his cricket career were set against the background of the ruinous [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]] (1983–2009) between the [[Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups|Tamil militants]] (mainly the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam|Tamil Tigers]]) and the [[government of Sri Lanka]]. It is generally held that the war began with the [[Black July]] riots in 1983.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tambiah |first=Stanley Jeyaraja |title=Sri Lanka: Ethnic Fratricide and the Dismantling of Democracy |publisher=University of Chicago Press |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-226-78952-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3V2xRnKcOEAC}}</ref> During Black July, Sangakkara's parents offered shelter to [[Tamil people|Tamil]] families, whom six-year-old Kumar viewed as his friends.<ref name="AFFCS"/>

He was educated at [[Trinity College, Kandy]]. Musically talented, he was a [[chorister]] and played the [[violin]].<ref name="KS010"/> He excelled in several sports and his mother Kumari wanted him to concentrate on his best one. The choice was between cricket and [[tennis]]. Kumari sought the advice of college principal Leonard de Alwis, who said Kumar should focus on cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketworld.com/principal-delighted-with-former-student-sangakkara/12329.htm |last=Dani |first=Bipin |title=Principal Delighted With Former Student Sangakkara |publisher=Cricket World |date=14 July 2007 |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=14 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814022408/http://www.cricketworld.com/principal-delighted-with-former-student-sangakkara/12329.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The Sangakkaras are a sporting family and Kumar's three elder siblings all excelled in sports at Trinity. His two sisters, Thushari and Saranga, played [[basketball]] and tennis respectively, both at representative level. Saranga won a national tennis championship. Kumar's elder brother Vemindra represented the college in both cricket and [[badminton]].<ref name="SLA">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/02/12/spo06.html |last=Jayasundara |first=Upananda |title=Sangakkara receives 'Super Lions' Award |newspaper=Daily News |date=12 February 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217222910/http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/02/12/spo06.html |archive-date=17 February 2005 |df=dmy-all |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sangakkara represented his school's Under-13, under-15, under-17, and first XI teams.<ref name="SLA"/> In August 1994, when he was 16, he went to [[Kuala Lumpur]] with Sri Lanka's national under-19 team and played in two one-day matches against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh under-19s]]. Even so, he modestly described himself as a "run-of-the-mill" cricketer while he was at school, but he said facing real competition at [[Nondescripts Cricket Club]] spurred him on to improve his game and strive to reach a high standard.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/110918/Sports/spt09.html |last=Pathiravithana |first=S. R. |title=Kumar says Test cricket is the pinnacle |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=18 September 2011 |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=7 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107100051/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110918/Sports/spt09.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Academically successful, he was the school's Senior Prefect (Head Boy) and received its [[Trinity College, Kandy#Trinity Lion|Trinity Lion]] and [[Trinity College, Kandy#Ryde Gold Medal|Ryde Gold Medal]] awards. He passed the Advance Level Examination and gained entry to the [[Faculty of Law, University of Colombo|Faculty of Law at the University of Colombo]]. However, he had to indefinitely postpone his law degree due to his cricketing commitments; he said in 2011 that he would consider finishing it after his cricket career ended.<ref name="KS018">{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/1-2-1-with-kumar-sangakkara-1.762005 |last=Nair |first=Nitin |title=1–2–1 with Kumara Sangakkara |work=Gulf News |publisher=Al Nisr Publishing LLC |date=15 February 2011 |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=22 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922000739/http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/1-2-1-with-kumar-sangakkara-1.762005 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Playing career==
===1997 to 2002===
====Nondescripts and the under-19s====
After he entered the University of Colombo in 1996, Sangakkara joined Nondescripts who were one of the city's most notable clubs and he spent most of his [[Cricket in Sri Lanka#Domestic competitions|domestic career]], until 2014, with them.<ref name="CA1"/> Having played for Sri Lanka under-19s while he was still at school, he made further appearances for the team in the 1996–97 season. In February 1997, he played in three Under-19 Tests against the touring India under-19 team, though he did not keep wicket. In the second match, he was [[run out]] for 96 in Sri Lanka's first [[innings]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/Under-19_Test_Matches.html |title=Under-19 Test Matches played by Kumar Sangakkara |work=CricketArchive |access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref> In March, he played in three Under-19 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against India under-19s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/Under-19_ODI_Matches.html |title=Under-19 ODI Matches played by Kumar Sangakkara |work=CricketArchive |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928134938/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/Under-19_ODI_Matches.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====First-class and List A debuts====
Sangakkara began his professional career in the 1997–98 season when he was 20 years old. He made his [[List A cricket|List A]] debut on 28 December 1997 in a [[limited overs cricket|50-over match]], playing for Nondescripts against [[Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club]] at the [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]] in [[Colombo]]. The match was a [[Premier Limited Overs Tournament|Hatna Trophy]] semi-final which Nondescripts won by 71 [[run (cricket)|run]]s. Sangakkara scored 18 in a total of 211.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/65/65079.html |title=Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club v Nondescripts Cricket Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928194545/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/65/65079.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Nondescripts went on to win the tournament, defeating [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club|Tamil Union]] by 5 [[wicket]]s in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/65/65198.html |title=Nondescripts Cricket Club v Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club – Hatna Trophy 1997/98 (Final) |work=CricketArchive |access-date=26 September 2023 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926051132/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/65/65198.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Soon afterwards, on 9 January 1998, he made his [[first-class cricket|first-class]] debut in a [[Major League Tournament (Sri Lanka)|Saravanamuttu Trophy]] match, also against Bloomfield C&A, at the [[Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground]] in Colombo. This was a three-day national championship match which ended in a draw. Sangakkara [[wicket-keeper|kept wicket]] and was seventh in the Nondescripts [[batting (cricket)|batting order]]. He held three [[caught|catches]] and, in his only innings, scored six runs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/65/65150.html |title=Nondescripts Cricket Club v Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=21 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928194545/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/65/65150.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He played in six championship matches that season.<ref name="FCM">{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/First-Class_Matches.html |title=First-class matches played by Kumar Sangakkara (260) |work=CricketArchive |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004104626/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/First-Class_Matches.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Nondescripts finished third in Group A of the competition and marginally failed to gain a place in the play-offs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/2/Saravanamuttu_Trophy_1997-98.html |title=Saravanamuttu Trophy 1997/98 Group A Table |work=CricketArchive |access-date=29 September 2023}}</ref>

In the 1998–99 season, the Saravanamuttu Trophy was rebranded as the Premier Championship and Sangakkara played in fourteen matches from January to June 1999. He had only moderate success as a batter, scoring 444 runs with a highest innings of 55; but he made his mark as a wicket-keeper by completing 33 dismissals (32 catches and one stumping).<ref name="BFS">{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/f_Batting_by_Season.html |title=First-class batting and fielding in each season by Kumar Sangakkara |work=CricketArchive |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005162712/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/f_Batting_by_Season.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The two group system was abandoned and the championship became a straight league competition in which the sixteen teams played each other once. Nondescripts, with four wins in their fifteen matches, finished fifth.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/2/Premier_Championship_1998-99.html |title=Premier Championship 1998/99 Table |work=CricketArchive |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005162744/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/2/Premier_Championship_1998-99.html |url-status=live }}</ref> During the season, Sangakkara played in five one-day matches for Sri Lanka B in a triangular tournament with Sri Lanka A and the English team [[Leicestershire County Cricket Club|Leicestershire]], who were on tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Triangular_Tournament_1998-99/Sri_Lanka_B_Batting.html |title=Sri Lanka B batting and fielding, 1998/99 |work=CricketArchive |access-date=29 September 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005162722/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Triangular_Tournament_1998-99/Sri_Lanka_B_Batting.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Sri Lanka A (1999–2000)====
In November 1999, Sangakkara was selected for the [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka A]] team's tour of South Africa. It was at this point that he decided to abandon his degree course and leave university.<ref name="KS010"/> On the tour, he played in three limited overs and two first-class matches against [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa A]], his best performance being an innings of 89 in one of the limited overs games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Sri_Lanka_A_in_South_Africa_1999-00/a_Sri_Lanka_A_Batting.html |title=Sri Lanka A in South Africa, 1999/2000 – Batting and Fielding |work=CricketArchive |access-date=28 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928134938/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Sri_Lanka_A_in_South_Africa_1999-00/a_Sri_Lanka_A_Batting.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 20 May 2000, playing in a limited overs match for Sri Lanka A against the touring [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe A]] at the [[De Soysa Stadium]] in [[Moratuwa]], Sangakkara played an outstanding innings of 156 [[not out]], which helped him to obtain a place in Sri Lanka's national team two months later.<ref name="KS010"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000/ZIM-A_IN_SL/SCORECARDS/ZIM-A_SL-A_OD2_20MAY2000.html |title=Scorecard |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=12 June 2012}}</ref>

He played in seven Premier Championship matches for Nondescripts in 1999–2000, but the team had a poor season. The two groups format was revived with Nondescripts in Group A and finishing fifth.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/2/Premier_Championship_1999-00.html |title=Premier Championship 1999/2000 Table |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232508/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/2/Premier_Championship_1999-00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Nondescripts played in Group B of the Premier Limited Overs Tournament but they again disappointed and did not qualify for the play-offs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Premier_Limited_Overs_Tournament_1999-00.html |title=Premier Limited Overs Tournament 1999/2000 |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref>

====Test and ODI debuts (July 2000)====
In July 2000, [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] hosted the Singer Triangular Series between themselves, [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]], and [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]]. The teams played each other twice in a [[round-robin tournament|round-robin league format]] and the top two, South Africa and Sri Lanka, qualified for the final which Sri Lanka won by 30 runs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/singer-triangular-series-2000-61068/match-schedule-fixtures-and-results |title=Singer Triangular Series 2000 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232503/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/singer-triangular-series-2000-61068/match-schedule-fixtures-and-results |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangakkara made his [[One Day International]] (ODI) debut in the opening match when Sri Lanka played Pakistan at the [[Galle International Stadium]] on 5 July. Pakistan batted first and scored 164/8 from their 45 overs (reduced from 50 because of a delay caused by bad weather). Sangakkara kept wicket and made an important contribution when he caught [[Mohammad Yousuf (cricketer)|Mohammad Yousuf]] off [[Nuwan Zoysa]] for a first-ball "duck". Sri Lanka needed only 37.3 overs to score 166/5 and win the match by five wickets with 45 balls in hand. Sangakkara was fifth in the batting order and made 35 before he was run out by [[Imran Nazir (cricketer)|Imran Nazir]] at 131/4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66257.html |title=Singer Triangular Series – Sri Lanka v Pakistan |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> ESPN's cricket writer Charlie Austin wondered if Sangakkara had "the head for international cricket and also the technique". He was impressed enough to describe Sangakkara as "a down to earth man, both intelligent and mature, who was unfazed by the situation and was immediately off the mark with a fluid square drive".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/singer-triangular-series-2000-61068/sri-lanka-vs-pakistan-1st-match-66257/match-report |last=Austin |first=Charlie |title=Morale boosting victory for Sri Lanka in Singer Triangular Series |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232506/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/singer-triangular-series-2000-61068/sri-lanka-vs-pakistan-1st-match-66257/match-report |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the second match, when Sri Lanka played South Africa at Galle on 6 July, Sangakkara was voted [[Man of the Match]] after he scored 85 before again being run out, this time by [[Makhaya Ntini]]. He shared a fifth wicket partnership of 120 with [[Russel Arnold]] (59 not out) and Sri Lanka totalled 249/7 in their 50 overs. South Africa were all out for 212, Sangakkara catching [[Jonty Rhodes]] off his first ball, and Sri Lanka won by 37 runs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/singer-triangular-series-2000-61068/sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-2nd-match-66258/full-scorecard |title=Singer Triangular Series – Sri Lanka v South Africa |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017044526/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/singer-triangular-series-2000-61068/sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-2nd-match-66258/full-scorecard |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara played in all five of Sri Lanka's matches in the tournament, dismissing seven batters (3 caught, 4 stumped) and scoring 199 runs at 66.33 to secure his place in the upcoming [[Test cricket|Test series]] against South Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Singer_Triangular_Series_2000/Sri_Lanka_Batting.html |title=Singer Triangular Series – Batting and Fielding |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232509/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/2/Singer_Triangular_Series_2000/Sri_Lanka_Batting.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

He made his Test debut at Galle on 20–23 July in the first match of the [[South African cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2000|three-match series]]. Sri Lanka won by an innings and 15 runs. In his team's only innings, Sangakkara was fifth in the batting order and had scored 23 when he was dismissed [[leg before wicket]] (lbw) by [[Nicky Boje]]. Sri Lanka totalled 522 and then bowled South Africa out for 238 and 269 to win with a day to spare. Sangakkara kept wicket and held two catches to dismiss [[Gary Kirsten]] in the first innings and [[Lance Klusener]] in the second. Both catches were off the bowling of [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] who took 13 wickets in the match. Sangakkara also dismissed Kirsten in the second innings when he took a throw from [[Chaminda Vaas]] to complete a run out.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70234.html |title=Sri Lanka v South Africa 2000 – Scorecard of the 1st Test |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001234540/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70234.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2000–01 season====
Nondescripts won the Premier Championship in 2000–01 but Sangakkara missed most of their matches due to international commitments. In October 2000, he travelled to [[Nairobi]] and [[Sharjah]] for two limited overs competitions.<ref name="LAM">{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/List_A_Matches.html |title=List A matches played by Kumar Sangakkara (529) |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232503/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/List_A_Matches.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sri Lanka reached the final of the Coca-Cola Champions Trophy in Sharjah and defeated [[India national cricket team|India]] by 245 runs. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 299/5 in their 50 overs. Sangakkara was [[bowled]] for 8 by [[Sachin Tendulkar]]. India collapsed and were all out for 54 in just 26 overs, Sangakkara completing two dismissals (a catch and a run out).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70858.html |title=India v Sri Lanka 2000: Coca-Cola Champions Trophy Final |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232509/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/70/70858.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

From November 2000 to February 2001, he was on overseas tours with Sri Lanka who visited South Africa and New Zealand. [[Sri Lankan cricket team in South Africa in 2000–01|In South Africa]], he played in three Tests and six ODIs as well as some matches against provincial teams; Sri Lanka were heavily beaten in both series.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 2000–01|On the second tour]], Sri Lanka played ODIs only against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] and Sangakkara played in all five; Sri Lanka won the series 4–1. Returning home, he played in three Tests and three ODIs against [[England cricket team|England]], who toured Sri Lanka [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2000–01|in February and March 2001]].{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} England won the Test series 2–1 and Sri Lanka won the ODI series 3–0. The second Test, played at the [[Asgiriya Stadium]] in Kandy, was highly controversial because of incompetent umpiring by [[B. C. Cooray]] whose errors probably cost Sri Lanka the match and the series. One of the consequences was bad feeling between the players and Sangakkara became involved in a heated argument with [[Michael Atherton]], who was seen to be wagging a finger at him. When asked about it afterwards, Atherton alleged that Sangakkara had called the England team "cheats".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-v-england-2000-01-bc-cooray-s-umpiring-nightmare-521543 |last=Williamson |first=Martin |title=BC Cooray's nightmare |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=2 July 2011}}</ref>

The Premier Championship was re-vamped again so that the top four teams in each of Groups A and B formed a Super League. In this, the eight teams played each other once. Winning teams were awarded twelve points and there were also bonus points for achieving batting and bowling targets. Crucially for Nondescripts, the team with the highest first innings total in a drawn match was awarded eight points. Nondescripts, who had finished second in Group B, won only one Super League match while runners-up [[Burgher Recreation Club]] won three; and Burgher had a slight advantage in bonus points gained. What made the difference was that Burgher drew their other four games but led on first innings in only one of them, so their total was 44 plus bonuses. Nondescripts drew their other six games and, in all of them including the one against Burgher, were ahead on first innings for a points total of 60 plus bonuses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/2/Premier_Championship_2000-01.html |title=Premier Championship 2000/01 Super League Table |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> Sangakkara was only available for the last two matches including the decisive one against Burgher, although he made little impact. Playing as a specialist batter, he scored only 6 in his one innings. Nondescripts scored 372 and then bowled Burgher out for 125 to claim the first innings points. Burgher followed on and were 79/7 when the match ended in a draw.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/71/71966.html |title=Burgher Recreation Club v Nondescripts Cricket Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref> In the final round of matches, Nondescripts met [[Colombo Cricket Club]] while Burgher played Tamil Union. Nondescripts were eight points ahead of Burgher and knew they must gain first innings points at least. Sangakkara again made little impact. After Colombo had been dismissed for 246, he opened the innings and was out for 13. Nondescripts were dismissed for 245 and so, unable to claim first innings points, they had to win the match to remain top of the league. In the second innings, Colombo collapsed and were all out for 141 after off spinner [[Ruwan Kalpage]] took a career-best 7/27. Sangakkara scored only 14 and Nondescripts struggled, but they managed to reach 143/7 and win by three wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/71/71966.html |title=Colombo Cricket Club v Nondescripts Cricket Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006224531/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/71/71966.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As things turned out, Nondescripts could have lost to Colombo and still won the title because Burgher drew with Tamil Union and were behind on first innings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/72/72036.html |title=Burgher Recreation Club v Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232511/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/72/72036.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2001–02 season====
Nondescripts won the Premier Limited Overs Tournament in 2001–02 but, as before, Sangakkara's involvement was limited by his international commitments. The only match he played in was the final at the [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]] in Colombo on 19 January 2002. Nondescripts defeated Tamil Union by 44 runs. Batting third, Sangakkara scored 98 at exactly one run per ball. He shared a second wicket partnership of 153 with [[Aravinda de Silva]] (65) and Nondescripts totalled 278/8 from their 50 overs. Tamil Union were all out for 234.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/73/73842.html |title=Nondescripts Cricket Club v Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232510/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/73/73842.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Seeking to defend their Premier Championship title, Nondescripts reached the play-off semi-final but lost to Colts by 2 wickets; Sangakkara scored 20 and 37.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/74/74381.html |title=Colts Cricket Club v Nondescripts Cricket Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005171745/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/74/74381.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sri Lanka hosted three three-match Test series from August 2001 to January 2002. The visitors were India in August, [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] in November and December, and [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] in December and January. Sri Lanka also took part in the [[2001–02 Asian Test Championship]].<ref name="FCM"/>

In his first-class career to date, Sangakkara had been dismissed in the nineties three times, twice in Test matches. In the first Test against India at Galle, he scored 105 not out and helped his team to a ten-wicket victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/96334.html |last=Clementine |first=Rex |title=Sangakkara: It feels good to get back in form |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=16 August 2001 |access-date=4 April 2012 |archive-date=2 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802152817/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/96334.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored his second century in the first Test against West Indies, also at Galle, in November. West Indies batted first and scored 448, largely due to an innings of 178 by [[Brian Lara]] which ended when Sangakkara caught him behind off the bowling of Muralitharan. Sri Lanka replied with 590/9 declared. Sangakkara made their top score of 140 before he was run out. He shared a third wicket partnership of 162 with [[Mahela Jayawardene]] (99), a forerunner of things to come. West Indies collapsed in their second innings and were all out for 144, Sri Lanka needing only six runs to win by 10 wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/107995.html |last=Austin |first=Charlie |title=Scholarly centurion has Sri Lankan victory in his sights |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=15 November 2001 |access-date=4 April 2012 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207152713/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/107995.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

India had withdrawn from the Asian Test Championship for political reasons but [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]], Pakistan and Sri Lanka continued. The latter two contested the final at the [[Gaddafi Stadium]] in March and Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets after Sangakkara scored his first double-century with an innings of 230. Pakistan batted first, totalling 234, and Sri Lanka replied with 528. Sangakkara and Jaywardene (68) added 173 for the third wicket. Pakistan were all out for 325 in their second innings, and Sri Lanka needed only 32 to win. Sangakkara was named Player of the Match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63948.html |title=2002 Asian Test Championship Final |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226135631/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63948.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2002 to 2006===
By now an established member of the international team, Sangakkara continued to play mostly for Sri Lanka and travelled worldwide during this period. He toured England in both 2002 and 2006. In between those tours, Sri Lanka played series in each of Australia (3), Bangladesh, India, New Zealand (2), Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, and Zimbabwe. They hosted home series against Australia, Bangladesh (2), England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and West Indies. They were in Kenya and South Africa for the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]], reaching the semi-finals, and hosted the [[2004 Asia Cup]], which they won.<ref name="BFS"/>

In domestic cricket, Nondescripts were unable to challenge for further trophies after their successes in 2001 and 2002. In 2003–04, Sangakkara played in five Premier Championship matches and eight Premier Limited Overs Tournament matches, including the semi-final against Bloomfield, but that was the last season in which he was able to make more than a handful of appearances for them.<ref name="BFS"/> Apart from 2016 and 2017 when he was playing regular first-class cricket in England for [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]], 2003–04 was the only season in which Sangakkara achieved the target of a thousand runs. He played in sixteen matches and scored 1,191 runs at 44.11 per completed innings with three centuries and eight fifties. His highest score was 125. He also completed 55 dismissals, by far his highest season total, with 43 catches and 12 stumpings.<ref name="BFS"/>

====2003 World Cup====

====2004 Asia Cup====

====Twenty20 debuts (2004 and 2006)====
[[Twenty20]] (T20) was introduced to Sri Lanka on 17 August 2004 when the first round of the [[2004 SLC Twenty20 Tournament]] was played. There were eight matches that day and a total of 176 players, including Sangakkara, made their T20 debuts.<ref name="TTM">{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/Twenty20_Matches.html |title=Twenty20 matches played by Kumar Sangakkara (267) |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=22 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022232510/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/9/9506/Twenty20_Matches.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangakkara played for Nondescripts against Tamil Union at the [[Moors Sports Club Ground]] in Colombo. Batting third, he scored 39 off 21 [[delivery (cricket)|balls]] as Nondescripts won by 17 runs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/80/80315.html |title=Nondescripts Cricket Club v Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref> Nondescripts then played [[Colts Cricket Club|Colts]] at the [[R. Premadasa Stadium]] in the quarter-final but lost by 4 wickets; Sangakkara again scored 39.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/80/80476.html |title=Colts Cricket Club v Nondescripts Cricket Club |work=CricketArchive |access-date=26 September 2023}}</ref>

He made his [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I) debut on 15 June 2006 when Sri Lanka played England at the [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Rose Bowl]], near [[Southampton]]. The match was Sri Lanka's first-ever T20I but the team acquitted themselves well to win by 2 runs. They won the toss and, batting first, were all out for 163 (their last wicket fell to the final ball of the innings). Sangakkara came in fifth and hit 21 from 14 deliveries before he was caught by [[Andrew Strauss]]. He kept wicket as England replied and completed a catch and a run out. England were 161/5 when their innings closed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/85/85632.html |title=England v Sri Lanka |work=CricketArchive |access-date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110140435/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/85/85632.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangakkara's run out of [[Marcus Trescothick]] was a key moment in the match as Trescothick had scored 72 and the match seemed to be going England's way. They needed twelve runs from eight balls after he was out and then needed nine from the 20th over bowled by [[Dilhara Fernando]], who restricted them to six.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/4/4368.html |title=Sri Lanka hold on to win first Twenty20 |work=CricketArchive |date=15 June 2006 |access-date=8 October 2023 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924121739/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/4/4368.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====2006 in England====
He made a poor return in his six first-class matches on this tour with only 347 runs at 31.54.

====Sri Lanka v South Africa, 2006====
Sangakkara and Jayawardene set the world record in both Test and first-class cricket for the highest partnership between two batters for any wicket. This was their stand of 624 for the third wicket in the first Test against South Africa in 2006. Sangakkara scored 287 and Jayawardene 374. The partnership is the only one to exceed 600 for any wicket in first-class history<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283573.html |title=Records. Highest partnership for any wicket |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=31 January 2021 |archive-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116113237/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283573.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, Sangakkara and  Jayawardene hold the record for the highest partnership (166 for the 2nd wicket) for any wicket in ICC World T20 history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?id=89;type=trophy |title=Highest T20 World Cup partnership for any wicket |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=18 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411221922/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?id=89%3Btype%3Dtrophy |archive-date=11 April 2017 }}</ref>

===2007 to 2017===
====English county cricket====
Sangakkara played English county cricket with [[Warwickshire County Cricket Club|Warwickshire]] in the [[2007 County Championship]]. In 2010, Sangakkara was contracted to represent [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] in the [[2010 County Championship]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/441499.html |title=Kumara Sangakkara signs up with Lancashire |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=28 December 2009 |access-date=28 December 2009 |archive-date=20 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420065301/http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/441499.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but never represented the club because of international commitments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/lancashire/content/current/story/456874.html |title=Lancashire sign Katich and Chanderpaul |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=22 April 2010 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-date=26 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426010446/http://www.cricinfo.com/lancashire/content/current/story/456874.html |url-status=live }}</ref> For the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Sangakkara was contracted to play for [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kiaoval.com/surrey-sign-kumar-sangakkara/ |title=Surrey Sign Kumara Sangakkara |publisher=Surrey County Cricket Club |access-date=22 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512021359/http://www.kiaoval.com/surrey-sign-kumar-sangakkara/ |archive-date=12 May 2015}}</ref> After his international retirement, Sangakkara continued to play for Surrey and in 2017 scored his 100th century in all formats of the game combined on 13 June 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/40260948 |title=One-Day Cup: Kumar Sangakkara's 100th century sets up Surrey win at Yorkshire |work=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2017 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=10 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110102316/http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/40260948 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sri Lanka vice-captain (2006–2009)===
[[File:Kumar Sangakkara.jpg|thumb|Sangakkara in 2009]]
When [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Bangladesh in 2005–06|Sri Lanka toured Bangladesh in February 2006]] regular captain [[Marvan Atapattu]] was injured and [[Mahela Jayawardene]] became captain while Sangakkara was made vice-captain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/bdeshvsl/content/story/237282.html |title=Sri Lanka announce squad to tour Bangladesh |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=15 February 2006 |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=19 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119183954/http://www.espncricinfo.com/bdeshvsl/content/story/237282.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pakistan toured Sri Lanka for two Test and three ODIs in March 2006, and with Atapattu still injured Jayawardene and Sangakkara remained captain and vice-captain respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/291205.html |title=Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 2005–06 |first=Charlie |last=Austin |date=18 April 2007 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=19 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119185447/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/291205.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The pair had only expected to hold the positions on an interim basis, but extended into a third series as Atapattu failed to recover in time to tour England in April and ended up filling the roles full-time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4886334.stm |title=Atapattu will miss England tour |work=BBC Sport |date=17 April 2006 |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=18 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618234846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4886334.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2006, Sangakkara made his second-highest Test score to-date (287) against South Africa. In a record-breaking partnership with Mahela Jayawardene, he set up the world record for the highest partnership in Test cricket—624 runs—in this match.<ref name="KS002">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/249193.html |title=South Africa in Sri Lanka Test series (2006) – Scorecard of 1st Test |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=10 June 2012 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226135840/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/249193.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

By this time, Sangakkara was effectively playing as a specialist batter in Test cricket, his wicket-keeping duties having been handed over to [[Prasanna Jayawardene]]. Sangakkara continued to play as a wicket-keeper-batter in the limited overs forms.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

On 6 December 2007 he made it to the top spot of ICC Test player rankings with a rating of 938, the highest rating ever achieved by a Sri Lankan player, and became the first batsman ever to score in excess of 150 in four consecutive tests.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} His skill was recognised worldwide when he earned selection for the [[List of World XI ODI cricketers|ICC World XI One-Day International]] team that competed against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] in the Johnnie Walker Series in October 2005. Despite the World XI losing all of the one-day games by considerable margins, Sangakkara left the series with some credit, averaging 46. He was one of the winners of the 2008 inaugural ESPN cricinfo awards for outstanding batting in Test cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/01/31/spo02.asp |title=Sangakkara and Malinga claim ESPNcricinfo honours |work=Daily News |date=31 January 2008 |access-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306132152/http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/01/31/spo02.asp |archive-date=6 March 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He was once again named in the World Test XI by the ICC in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/480081.html |title=Dhoni leads ICC Test Team of Year |date=6 October 2010 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715153326/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/480081.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara holds the record for being the fastest man to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000 (jointly held), 11,000 and 12,000 runs in Test cricket. During Sri Lanka's tour to England in May 2006, he was named the vice-captain of the side. On 3 March 2009, a [[2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team|terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team convoy]] in Pakistan injured 6 Sri Lankan players including Sangakkara. Sangakkara suffered shrapnel wounds in his shoulder.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/03/sri-lanka-lahore-wounded-cricketers-profiles |title=Profiles of the five wounded Sri Lankans |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 March 2009 |access-date=12 June 2012 |last=Smyth |first=Rob |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924121633/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/03/sri-lanka-lahore-wounded-cricketers-profiles |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2006, Sangakkara was included in the ICC World XI Test team. Next year, he signed an agreement to join Warwickshire County Cricket Club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C02%5C03%5Cstory_3-2-2007_pg2_5 |title=Sangakkara, Steyn sign for Warwickshire |work=Daily Times |location=Pakistan |date=3 February 2007 |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924121635/https://dailytimes.com.pk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, he scored back-to-back double centuries in Tests and became only the fifth cricketer in the history to do so.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/302375.html |last1=Basevi |first1=Travis |last2=Binoy |first2=George |title=Sangakkara's rare double, and Waqar's hot streaks |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=18 July 2007 |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=17 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217042531/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/302375.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara was in the Sri Lanka teams which reached the finals of the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]], the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], the [[2009 ICC World Twenty20]] and the [[2012 ICC World Twenty20]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} He won several awards including:

* ICC ODI Player of the Year: 2011, 2013
* Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World: 2011, 2014
* Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 2012
* ICC Cricketer of the Year: 2012
* ICC Test Player of the Year: 2012
* Wisden India Cricketer of the Year: 2013
* Surrey cap: 2015

Source:<ref name="CA1"/>

===Indian Premier League===
Sangakkara has played in five seasons of the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL). Winning bids for him in 2008 and 2011 were US$700,000 by [[Kings XI Punjab]] and US$300,000 by [[Deccan Chargers]], respectively. He was the captain of the [[Sunrisers Hyderabad]] team. Sangakkara has scored 1567 runs with 10 half-centuries in 62 matches in IPL.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iplt20.com/teams/deccan-chargers/squad/27/Kumar-Sangakkara/ |title=Kumara Sangakkara |work=iplt20.com |access-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615000228/http://iplt20.com/teams/deccan-chargers/squad/27/Kumar-Sangakkara |archive-date=15 June 2012 }}</ref>

In January 2021, Sangakkara was named the director of cricket of [[Rajasthan Royals]] ahead of the [[IPL 2021]], and subsequently the team's head coach. With Rajasthan, he played a crucial role in leading them to the [[2022 Indian Premier League final]].

===Sri Lanka Premier League===
In the [[Sri Lanka Premier League]] which officially started in 2012, Sangakkara was named the captain and icon player of the [[Kandurata Warriors]] franchise. Unfortunately, he couldn't participate as a player in the inaugural edition in 2012 as he suffered a finger injury weeks before the tournament during a [[One Day International]] against India. However, he appeared as a television commentator during some matches.

===Caribbean Premier League===
On 18 August 2013, Sangakkarra joined the [[Jamaica Tallawahs]] of the [[Caribbean Premier League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/caribbean-premier-league-2013/content/story/663311.html |title=Sangakkara signs for Jamaica Tallawahs |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=18 August 2013 |access-date=19 August 2013 |archive-date=19 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819001826/http://www.espncricinfo.com/caribbean-premier-league-2013/content/story/663311.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sri Lanka captaincy===
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%;" cellspacing="5"
!colspan="7"|'''Sangakkara's record as captain'''
|-
|&nbsp;||Matches||Won||Lost||Drawn||No result
|-
|Test<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/SriLanka/Test/Miscellaneous/Captains/Playing_Record_Captain_Overall.html |title=Sri Lanka captains' playing record in Test matches |work=CricketArchive |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207094518/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/SriLanka/Test/Miscellaneous/Captains/Playing_Record_Captain_Overall.html |url-status=live }}</ref>||15||5||3||7||–
|-
|ODI<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/SriLanka/ODI/Miscellaneous/Captains/Playing_Record_Captain_Overall.html |title=Sri Lanka captains' playing record in ODI matches |work=CricketArchive |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207092542/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/SriLanka/ODI/Miscellaneous/Captains/Playing_Record_Captain_Overall.html |url-status=live }}</ref>||45||27||14||–||4
|-
|T20I<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/SriLanka/International_Twenty20/Miscellaneous/Captains/Playing_Record_Captain_Overall.html |title=Sri Lanka captains' playing record in International Twenty20 matches |work=CricketArchive |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207091340/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/SriLanka/International_Twenty20/Miscellaneous/Captains/Playing_Record_Captain_Overall.html |url-status=live }}</ref>||21||12||9||–||–
|}
In February 2009, the then captain of the Sri Lankan side, Mahela Jayawardene announced that he would step down from the captaincy "in the best interests of the Sri Lankan team". He said he believed that it would give his successor around two years to build up to the 2011 Cricket World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/srilanka/4588721/Kumar-Sangakkara-expected-to-replace-Mahela-Jayawardene-as-Sri-Lanka-captain.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/srilanka/4588721/Kumar-Sangakkara-expected-to-replace-Mahela-Jayawardene-as-Sri-Lanka-captain.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Kumara Sangakkara expected to replace Mahela Jayawardene as Sri Lanka captain |work=The Telegraph |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=12 June 2012 |last=Briggs |first=Simon}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Therefore, at the age of 31 and with the experience of 80&nbsp;Tests and 246&nbsp;ODIs, Sangakkara succeeded Jayawardene as Sri Lanka's captain in all formats of the game. His first engagement in the role was the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 hosted by England in June.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/394862.html |title=Sangakkara appointed SL captain for World Twenty20 |first=Sa'adi |last=Thawfeeq |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=11 March 2009 |access-date=4 April 2012 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607104555/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/394862.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sri Lanka became runners-up in the series after winning all the game in group and knock-out stages and being defeated by Pakistan in the final. Sangakkara made 64 not-out in the final, but was unable to take Sri Lanka for the championship.<ref name="KS001">{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wt202009/engine/current/match/356017.html |title=ICC World Twenty20, 2009 – Scorecard of the Final |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219000512/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wt202009/engine/current/match/356017.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPNcricinfo for the 2009 T20I World Cup.<ref name="KS001"/>

Sri Lanka failed to reach to the knock-out stage of the [[2009 ICC Champions Trophy|ICC Champions Trophy]] in September 2009. The next [[Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 2009–10|Indian tour]] proved to be disastrous for the team, with Sri Lanka being beaten by India in Test series 2–0 and ODI series 3–1.

Sri Lankan team under the captaincy of Sangakkara gained momentum and won the next Tri-series in [[Tri-Series in Bangladesh in 2009–10|Bangladesh]], [[Tri-nation series in Zimbabwe in 2010|Zimbabwe]] and [[Sri Lanka Triangular Series in 2010|Sri Lanka]], beating [[India national cricket team|India]] as well. The Sri Lankans' [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2010–11|tour of Australia]] proved to be very successful, in winning both the T20 and ODI series. This was Sri Lanka's first ever series victory in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/australia-v-sri-lanka-2010/content/story/485472.html |first=Peter |last=English |title=Sri Lanka break series drought on rainy night |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=5 November 2010 |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924121751/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-australia-2010-11-446946/australia-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-odi-446958/match-report |url-status=live }}</ref>

A month in advance of the 2011 World Cup in March, Sangakkara decided that he would resign the captaincy after the tournament.<ref name="KS006">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/519173.html |title=Reluctant Sangakkara admits captaincy headache |first=Andrew |last=Miller |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=15 June 2011 |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085109/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/england-v-sri-lanka-reluctant-kumar-sangakkara-admits-captaincy-headache-519173 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sri Lanka reached the final of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islandcricket.lk/columns/trevor-chesterfield/9996510/sri-lanka-qualify-for-icc-cricket-world-cup-2011-quarter-finals |title=Sri Lanka qualify for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarter-finals |publisher=Island Cricket |date=10 March 2011 |access-date=10 March 2011 |archive-date=9 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009173344/http://www.islandcricket.lk/columns/trevor-chesterfield/9996510/sri-lanka-qualify-for-icc-cricket-world-cup-2011-quarter-finals |url-status=dead }}</ref> Throughout the tournament Sangakkara was in prolific form with the bat scoring 465 runs from 9 matches and was the third highest run-scorer behind teammate [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]] and India's [[Sachin Tendulkar]]. He was named as captain and wicket-keeper of the 'Team of the Tournament' for the 2011 World Cup by the ICC.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2011/sachin-zaheer-yuvi-in-iccs-world-cup-xi-1572998 |title=Sachin, Zaheer, Yuvi in ICC's World Cup XI. Cricket News |website=NDTVSports.com |access-date=16 July 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085110/https://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2011/sachin-zaheer-yuvi-in-iccs-world-cup-xi-1572998 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also named in the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/509646.html |title=World Cup 2011: The team of the tournament |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085111/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/world-cup-2011-the-team-of-the-tournament-509646 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the final, loud crowd noise prevented match referee [[Jeff Crowe]] from hearing Sri Lankan captain Sangakkara's call as the coin was tossed by Indian captain Dhoni. The toss had to be redone – an extremely unusual event, especially at as prominent an event as the World Cup final.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/509133.html |title=India v Sri Lanka: Toss taken twice after confusion over call |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=2 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404162249/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/story/509133.html |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He also criticised the decision of ICC in its attempt to tweak and alter the 2.5-metre rule while a tournament was in progress.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/Sangakkara-slams-ICC-for-changing-2-5-meter-UDRS-rule-during-World-Cup/articleshow/7657444.cms |title=Sangakkara slams ICC for changing 2.5 meter UDRS rule during World Cup |newspaper=The Times of India |date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530224133/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/Sangakkara-slams-ICC-for-changing-2-5-meter-UDRS-rule-during-World-Cup/articleshow/7657444.cms |archive-date=30 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Days after guiding Sri Lanka to the finals of the World Cup, Sangakkara announced to the public he was stepping down as captain of the T20 and ODI teams. He offered to continue as Test captain if deemed necessary for transition to new skipper,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/509607.html |title=Sri Lanka news: Sangakkara steps down as ODI and T20 captain |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=5 April 2011 |access-date=5 April 2011 |archive-date=8 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408002317/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/509607.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but Dilshan was appointed captain across all formats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islandcricket.lk/news/srilankacricket/107210418/sri-lanka-appoint-new-captain-sangakkara-not-retained-as-test-skipper |title=Sri Lanka appoint new captain, Sangakkara not retained as Test skipper |publisher=Island Cricket |date=18 April 2011 |access-date=18 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419200247/http://www.islandcricket.lk/news/srilankacricket/107210418/sri-lanka-appoint-new-captain-sangakkara-not-retained-as-test-skipper |archive-date=19 April 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Reflecting on the decision afterwards, he said that "captaining Sri Lanka is a job that ages you very quickly&nbsp;... It's rarely a job you will last long in&nbsp;... I also had a two-year stint, and I enjoyed it at times, certainly on the field where our results showed we were one of the top two sides in the world for one-and-a-half years, especially in the shorter form of the game."<ref name="KS006"/>

The same year, he was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year at the [[2011 ICC Awards|ICC awards ceremony]].<ref name="KS016"/> In 2012, he was honoured as one of the [[Wisden Cricketers of the Year]].<ref name="KS010"/>

===Internationals (2011–2014)===
{{See also|List of batsmen who have scored over 10000 One Day International cricket runs}}
[[File:TM Dlshan and Kumar Sangakkara.jpg|thumb|Sangakkara (right) resigned from the captaincy after the 2011 World Cup and was succeeded by [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]] (left).]]
Sri Lanka's first fixture after the World Cup was a [[Sri Lankan cricket team in England in 2011|Sri Lanka tour of England in 2011]] beginning in May. During the second match of a three Test series Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sangakkara's successor as captain, suffered a broken thumb. Sangakkara filled in while Dilshan was off the pitch and formally assumed the captaincy for the final Test.<ref name="KS005">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/519065.html |title=Dilshan ruled out of Rose Bowl Test |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=3 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903073659/http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/519065.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The match ended in a draw and the series ended in a 1–0 victory for England; Sangakarra scored a century in the match, his first against England in nine Tests.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/519966.html |title=Sangakkara finally breaks his England hoodoo |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |first=Andrew |last=Miller |date=20 June 2011 |access-date=6 April 2012 |archive-date=2 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902063021/http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/519966.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara was named the man of the series in [[Sri Lankan cricket team against Pakistan in the UAE in 2011–12|Test series with Pakistan in 2011/12]]—his first man of the series award in Test cricket. He made 516 runs in the 3 match series which was won by Pakistan 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/530421.html |title=Pakistan v Sri Lanka Test Series, 2011–12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085111/https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/530421.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On August in 2013, he was named the ODI Cricketer of the Year, wicket-keeper-captain of the ICC World XI Test team, and won the ICC People's Choice Award in the 2011 ICC Awards.<ref name="KS016">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/532181.html |title=Sangakkara named ODI Cricketer of the Year |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |last=Ramakrishnan |first=Madhusudhan |date=17 February 2012 |access-date=11 June 2012 |archive-date=30 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430033438/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/532181.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, he was named one of the Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.<ref name="KS010"/> He was also named as captain and wicket-keeper of the 2011 World Test XI by the ICC<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/529914.html |title=England dominate ICC Test team of the year |date=26 August 2011 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154312/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/529914.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and named in the 2012 World Test XI and ODI XI.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/580001.html |title=Clarke named captain of ICC Test Team of the Year |date=30 August 2012 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085113/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australia-s-michael-clarke-named-captain-of-icc-test-team-of-the-year-580001 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/532149.html |title=Dhoni leads ODI team of the year |date=12 September 2011 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=16 July 2019 |archive-date=15 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715154342/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/story/532149.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, Sangakkara received the [[Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy]] having been elected [[ICC Cricketer of the Year]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/13/ashes-captains-michael-clarke-alastair-cook |title=Ashes captains Clarke and Cook both hit a ton and pick up an annual award |last=Wilson |first=Andy |date=13 December 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924121648/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/13/ashes-captains-michael-clarke-alastair-cook |url-status=live }}</ref> For his achievements in 2011, he was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the 2012 edition of ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]''.<ref name="KS010"/> In the same edition, he was named the 2011 [[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World]] and he won this award again in the 2015 edition for his achievements in 2014,<ref name="KS011">{{cite web |url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-article/wisdens-leading-cricketer-year-2015-kumar-sangakkara/158822 |last=Smyth |first=Rob |title=Wisden's Leading Cricketer of the Year 2015: Kumar Sangakkara |date=9 April 2015 |work=Wisden India.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417051139/http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-article/wisdens-leading-cricketer-year-2015-kumar-sangakkara/158822 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/08/wisden-moeen-ali-gary-ballance |title=Wisden includes Moeen Ali and Gary Ballance in its cricketers of the year |last=Martin |first=Ali |date=8 April 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001234143/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/08/wisden-moeen-ali-gary-ballance |url-status=live }}</ref> the first player to win the award twice (subsequently, [[Virat Kohli]] and [[Ben Stokes]] have won it three times each).<ref name="KS012">{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/858841.html |last=Smyth |first=Rob |title=Leading cricketer in the world: Kumar Sangakkara |work=Wisden Archive |publisher=John Wisden & Co. |year=2015 |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502051416/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/858841.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara struggled with his form when England toured Sri Lanka in 2012. He failed to score a half century during The Two Test match series. But he regained his form in the ODI series against Pakistan where his batting score reached the 90s. In the Test series that followed, Sangakkara continued his form with a 199, the scoreboard originally said he had scored the double century but it turned out to be a mistake. Sri Lanka later won the Test match. He followed this up with 192 in the same game, again missing out on the double century. The next two matches were drawn, which meant Sri Lanka won the series 1–0. This was their first time winning a Test series since the retirement of [[Muttiah Muralitharan]].

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; width:50%;"
!colspan="7"|'''Sangakkara's results in international matches'''<ref name="KS021"/>
|-
|&nbsp;||Matches||Won||Lost||Drawn||Tied||No result
|-
|Test<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |title=List of Test victories |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=25 April 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208141518/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |archive-date=8 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ||134*||54||42||37||0||–
|-
|ODI<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |title=List of ODI victories |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=25 April 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102151011/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |archive-date=2 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
||404||217||167||–||2||17
|-
|T20I<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |title=List of T20I victories |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=25 April 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102115307/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting |archive-date=2 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ||56||34||20||–||1||1
|}

On the Sri Lankan tour of Bangladesh in 2014, Sangakkara hit his highest test score to date with 319 in the first innings of the second test.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.dailymirror.lk/2014/02/05/sangakkara-hits-319-in-sri-lankas-587/ |title=Sangakkara hits 319 in Sri Lanka's 587 : Mirror Sports |work=dailymirror.lk |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011093745/http://sports.dailymirror.lk/2014/02/05/sangakkara-hits-319-in-sri-lankas-587/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Making him only the third Sri Lankan player to hit a triple century after [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] and Mahela Jayawardene. He followed his triple century with a knock of 105 in the 2nd innings and the game finished as a draw. He continued his good batting run with another century in the 2nd ODI.

Along with teammate Mahela Jayawardene, he recorded the most partnership runs for the 3rd wicket in Test history, scoring 5890 runs surpassing the 5826 runs of [[Rahul Dravid]] and Sachin Tendulkar, during the first Test match against Pakistan at [[Galle International Stadium]]. The two also hold the record for the highest partnership for any wicket in Test matches, scoring 624 runs for the 3rd wicket against South Africa in July 2006.<ref name="KS002"/> This still stands as the largest partnership for any wicket in first-class cricket, anywhere.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/291123.html |title=Wisden – Sri Lanka v South Africa, 2006 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=18 April 2007 |access-date=16 February 2015 |archive-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303180431/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/291123.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

His impressive form with the bat continued at the [[2014 Asia Cup]] where he amassed a total of 245 runs in five innings. He started the tournament with a 63 against Pakistan before hitting a match winning 103 against India. He then added scores of 77 and 2 against [[Afghanistan national cricket team|Afghanistan]] and Bangladesh before being dismissed for a golden duck in the final against Pakistan. Sri Lanka went on to win the game and the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/26496287 |title=Asia Cup: Sri Lanka beat holders Pakistan by five wickets in final |work=BBC Sport |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085122/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/26496287 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Bangladesh Premier League===
In 2015, he was signed by [[Dhaka Dynamites]] for the [[2015–16 Bangladesh Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-premier-league-2015-16-921139/dhaka-dynamites-squad-941441/series-squads |title=Dhaka Dynamites Squad, 2015 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=17 June 2022 |archive-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617130528/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-premier-league-2015-16-921139/dhaka-dynamites-squad-941441/series-squads |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the leading run scorer of that season, scoring 349 runs in 10 matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=10535&type=tournament |title=Bangladesh Premier League, 2015/16 Records & Stats |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085118/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/batting-most-runs-career/bangladesh-premier-league-2015-16-10535 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was retained by Dhaka Dynamites for the [[2016–17 Bangladesh Premier League]].

===Pakistan Super League===
In 2015, Sangakkara joined the [[Quetta Gladiators]] of the [[Pakistan Super League]]. He was later released by the franchise and was picked by [[Karachi Kings]] as captain for the [[2017 Pakistan Super League|2017 edition]]. Under his captaincy team reached play-offs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/75437/kumar-sangakkara-signs-up-with-pakistan-super-league |title=Kumar Sangakkara signs up with Pakistan Super League |work=cricbuzz |publisher=Times Internet Ltd |date=27 October 2015 |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029220035/http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/75437/kumar-sangakkara-signs-up-with-pakistan-super-league |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, in the 3rd edition of PSL, Sangakkara was picked by [[Multan Sultans]].

===Return to county cricket===
Before Sri Lanka's Test series against England in 2014, Sangakkara returned to county cricket, playing two matches for [[Durham County Cricket Club|Durham]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/28/kumar-sangakkara-durham-deal-england-series |title=Kumara Sangakkara agrees short-term Durham deal before England series |date=28 April 2014 |access-date=28 January 2015 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085114/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/28/kumar-sangakkara-durham-deal-england-series |url-status=live }}</ref> which included 159 against Sussex in his final innings. On 16 January 2015, it was announced that he would be joining Surrey on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/821341.html |title=Sangakkara signs two-year Surrey deal |date=16 January 2015 |access-date=28 January 2015 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924121711/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sangakkara-signs-two-year-surrey-deal-821341 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangakkara scored a brilliant century against [[Glamorgan County Cricket Club|Glamorgan]], where he scored 149 runs, which was his maiden century for Surrey in this county season. After the match, he said that he was willing to see the comeback of English batsman [[Kevin Pietersen]] to international cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/20/glamorgan-surrey-county-championship-match-report |title=Steven Davies' double-century for Surrey has Kumar Sangakkara purring |last=Martin |first=Ali |work=The Guardian |date=20 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/20/surrey-kumar-sangakkara-kevin-pietersen-england-return |title=Kumar Sangakkara pushes Kevin Pietersen case for England return |first=Ali |last=Martin |work=The Guardian |date=20 April 2015 |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122308/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/20/surrey-kumar-sangakkara-kevin-pietersen-england-return |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara represented Surrey from 2015 till 2017, helping them win Division Two of [[LV=]] [[2015 County Championship]] and gaining promotion to Division One for the [[Specsavers]] [[2016 County Championship]] season. Surrey also reached the finals of [[2015 Royal London One-Day Cup]] before losing by six runs to [[Gloucestershire County Cricket Club|Gloucestershire]].

===Final season (2017)===
[[File:1 20 Kumar continues.jpg|thumb|left|Sangakkara batting for Surrey in 2017.]]
On 22 May 2017, Sangakkara announced that the following season would be his last in first-class cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8052/report/1068539/middlesex-vs-surrey-specsavers-county-championship-division-one-2017 |title=Recent Match Report – Middlesex vs Surrey, County Championship Division One, 2nd Innings |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717134649/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8052/report/1068539/middlesex-vs-surrey-specsavers-county-championship-division-one-2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> He made the announcement after scoring four consecutive centuries becoming the fourth Surrey batsman to achieve this feat ([[Ian Ward (cricketer)|Ian Ward]] was the last to do it in 2002), pass 20,000 first-class and having scored 592 runs in the said four games. He scored the fifth consecutive century on 26 May against [[Essex County Cricket Club|Essex]] at the [[County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8052/report/1068544/essex-vs-surrey-specsavers-county-championship-division-one-2017 |title=Recent Match Report – Essex vs Surrey, County Championship Division One, 2nd Innings |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=29 May 2017 |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717134651/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8052/report/1068544/essex-vs-surrey-specsavers-county-championship-division-one-2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming only the eighth player to achieve this feat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/wi/content/records/282971.html |title=Records. First-class matches. Hundreds in consecutive innings |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=27 May 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122200/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/hundreds-in-consecutive-innings-282971 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the quarter-final of the [[2017 Royal London One-Day Cup|Royal London One-Day Cup]] against [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]], he scored 121 from as many balls, which became his 100th century in all formats of the game combined, that now included 61 in first-class and 39 in List A games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/40265703 |title=Kumar Sangakkara: Sri Lankan scores 100th century of career |work=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2017 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=24 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024002223/http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/40265703 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangakkara became the first batsman to reach 1,000 runs for the season when he brought up his sixth century for the season against Yorkshire.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/40413144 |title=Yorkshire v Surrey: Kumar Sangakkara reaches 1,000 first-class runs for season |work=BBC Sport |date=28 June 2017 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=19 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919092308/http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/40413144 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===MCC===
On the 2020 MCC tour of Pakistan, with all matches played in [[Gaddafi Stadium|Lahore]], Sangakkara played in all matches, registering 25 runs in the first T20 match with 1 catch behind the stumps, 3 runs in the only LA game (where he did not keep wicket), 1 catch behind the stumps and 10 with the bat in the second T20,  and 52 and 1 catch keeping wicket in the third and tour-ending T20,  giving him a total of 3 dismissals credited to his name and 90 runs in total on the tour, giving him a T20 average of 30 and a tour average of 22.5.

===Cricket All-Stars Series===
Sangakkara, though retired from international cricket, participated in the [[2015 Cricket All-Stars Series]] for [[Warne's Warriors]] under [[Shane Warne]]'s captaincy. In the three T20 matches, he scored 153 runs, more than any other cricketer in the series, and included one fifty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/cricket-all-stars-2nd-t20-score-sangakkara-sehwag-warnes-warriors-sachins-blasters-lara-654343 |title=Sangakkara stars in run-fest as Warne's Warriors top Sachin's Blasters |work=International Business Times |date=12 November 2015 |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202023003/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/cricket-all-stars-2nd-t20-score-sangakkara-sehwag-warnes-warriors-sachins-blasters-lara-654343 |url-status=live }}</ref> His average in the series was 51.00. He also hit the most fours and sixes, 12 apiece. For his overall performance, Sangakkara was judged player of the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/cricket-all-stars-sangakkara-shines-as-warnes-warriors-wallop-tendulkars-blasters-to-seal-series-in-houston-2504010.html |title=Sangakkara shines as Warne's Warriors thump Tendulkar's Blasters to seal series in Houston |publisher=Firstpost |date=12 November 2015 |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-date=17 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117100449/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/cricket-all-stars-sangakkara-shines-as-warnes-warriors-wallop-tendulkars-blasters-to-seal-series-in-houston-2504010.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/939891.html |title=Sangakkara fifty propels Warriors to 262 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307224932/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/939891.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-cricket-all-stars-series-kumar-sangakkara-powered-warne-s-warriors-get-the-better-of-sachin-s-blasters-for-the-second-time-in-a-row-2144560 |title=Kumar Sangakkara powered Warne's Warriors |date=12 November 2015 |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-date=19 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219113712/http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-cricket-all-stars-series-kumar-sangakkara-powered-warne-s-warriors-get-the-better-of-sachin-s-blasters-for-the-second-time-in-a-row-2144560 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Masters Champions League===
Sangakkara also played for [[Gemini Arabians]] in the [[2016 Masters Champions League|first edition]] of Masters Champions League T20 tournament which took place in the [[UAE]]. In the first match against Gemini and [[Libra Legends]], Sangakkara scored 86 runs from just 43 balls and helped the team post a huge total of 234 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Libra Legends only scored 156 in their 20 overs and thus Gemini Arabians won the match courtesy of Sangakkara's knock. Sangakkara was also awarded man of the match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/sehwag-and-sangakkara-star-in-gemini-arabians-win-in-mcl-opener--in-pictures |title=Sehwag and Sangakkara star in Gemini Arabians win in MCL opener |work=The National |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-date=28 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128213648/http://www.thenational.ae/sport/cricket/sehwag-and-sangakkara-star-in-gemini-arabians-win-in-mcl-opener--in-pictures |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/kumar-sangakkara-richard-levi-guide-gemini-arabians-to-2343-vs-libra-legends-in-mcl-2016-opener-388765 |title=Kumar Sangakkara, Richard Levi guide Gemini Arabians to 234/3 vs Libra Legends in MCL 2016 opener |publisher=cricketcountry.com |date=28 January 2016 |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202145335/http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/kumar-sangakkara-richard-levi-guide-gemini-arabians-to-2343-vs-libra-legends-in-mcl-2016-opener-388765 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangakkara scored four consecutive fifties (65, 51, 51, 62) in the other matches played during the series, this secured a place in the final for the Arabians. In the final against Leo Lions, he scored 30 runs to become top run scorer of the series. His team won the series and remained undefeated throughout the tournament. Sangakkara won player of the series for his 386 runs with 5 fifties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dailysports.lk/sanga-to-play-for-mcc/ |title=Sangakkara To Play For MCC |publisher=dailysports |access-date=21 February 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033612/http://dailysports.lk/sanga-to-play-for-mcc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2014 ICC World Twenty20===
Sangakkara won the Man of the Match award in the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20 Final]]{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} and was part of the Sri Lankan team who won the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20]]. He decided to retire from T20 internationals after playing in that tournament and, afterwards, Jayawardene followed him into retirement. Sangakkara under-performed in the World T20 until, in the final against India, he scored 51 not out off 33 balls and help his team win their second ICC trophy since 1996.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===Later international matches===
Sri Lanka played their first [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2014–15|7-match ODI series]] at home, against [[England national cricket team|England]], from 26 November to 16 December 2014. On 3 December 2014 Sangakkara reached 13,000 runs in One-day internationals in the third match of the series at the [[Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium]], [[Hambantota]], and became the fourth player in One-day history to achieve the feat after Sachin Tendulkar, [[Ricky Ponting]], and Sanath Jayasuriya. He also became the second most prolific half-century maker in One-day internationals during this match. He scored 4 consecutive half-centuries followed by a century. On 13 December 2014, he scored his 20th ODI century, becoming the second Sri Lankan to score 20 ODI centuries, after 28 by Sanath Jayasuriya, and 9th overall to do so. He also took 4 catches as a wicket-keeper in this match taking the player of the match award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282935.html |title=Records: Most hundreds in a career |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=13 December 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615222241/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282935.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This match was his last match in his hometown due to his retirement from the ODI arena after the [[2015 Cricket World Cup]].

His last One-day innings in Sri Lanka was played on 13 December 2014 in the last match of the England ODI series. He was caught while on 33 in his last innings on home soil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gocricket.com/news/Sri-Lanka-v-England-2014-15-Sri-Lanka-eye-ODI-farewell-for-Kumar-Sangakkara-Mahela-Jayawardene/articleshow/45520189.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141217155629/http://www.gocricket.com/news/Sri-Lanka-v-England-2014-15-Sri-Lanka-eye-ODI-farewell-for-Kumar-Sangakkara-Mahela-Jayawardene/articleshow/45520189.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 December 2014 |title=Cricbuzz Search – Live Cricket scores, schedules, news, archives, series |work=Cricbuzz }}</ref> [[File:Kumar Sangakkara batting in his final ODI in Sri Lanka.JPG|thumb|Kumara Sangakkara batting against England in 2014 at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo]]

On 4 January 2015, Sangakkara scored his 38th test century by making 203 against New Zealand during the second match of the 2 Test match series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-sri-lanka-2014-15/engine/match/749779.html |title=Sri Lanka in New Zealand Test series (2014) – Scorecard of 2nd Test |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=26 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626020202/http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-sri-lanka-2014-15/engine/match/749779.html |url-status=live }}</ref> With this feat, he is only one short to become the highest double-century maker in test history. He has 11 test double centuries, only one short of 12 double centuries by [[Don Bradman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/451145.html |title=Kumara Sangakkara: 'I want to score 30 Test hundreds' |last=Bhogle |first=Harsha |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=11 March 2010 |access-date=11 June 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122202/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/kumar-sangakkara-i-want-to-score-30-test-hundreds-451145 |url-status=live }}</ref> He also surpassed 12,000 runs in Test cricket, becoming the first Sri Lankan and 5th overall cricketer to achieve that mark.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/records/223646.html |title=Records: Most runs in career |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122201/https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/most-runs-in-career-223646 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 14 February 2015, Sangakkara became the second highest run scorer in One-Day International history, by surpassing Australian Ricky Ponting. He achieved this milestone during the first match of the [[2015 ICC Cricket World Cup]] against New Zealand, but Sri Lanka lost the match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/news/237528-kumar-sangakkara-becomes-second-highest-odi-run-getter |title=Kumar Sangakkara Becomes Second Highest ODI Run-Getter |agency=Agence France-Presse |work=NDTVSports.com |access-date=14 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214160718/http://sports.ndtv.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/news/237528-kumar-sangakkara-becomes-second-highest-odi-run-getter |archive-date=14 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 26 February 2015 in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup against Bangladesh, Sangakkara scored his 22nd ODI century in his 400th appearance in One-Day Internationals. The 210* second wicket partnership between Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan on that day was broken again on 1 March 2015, in the next group match in World Cup against England, where Sangakkara joined [[Lahiru Thirimanne]] with 212* for the second wicket. Sangakkara scored his 23rd century in this match and this 70-ball century was his fastest century overall and the fastest century by a Sri Lankan in World Cup history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/656433.html |title=18th Match, Pool A: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka at Melbourne, Feb 26, 2015 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=1 March 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150305041413/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/656433.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/656441.html |title=22nd Match, Pool A: England v Sri Lanka at Wellington, Mar 1, 2015 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 March 2015 |archive-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311140645/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/656441.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the same World Cup, against Australia, when chasing a massive score of 377, Sangakkara passed 14,000 ODI runs, becoming the first Sri Lankan and second overall cricketer to pass it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11414007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150309163430/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11414007 |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 March 2015 |title= Sangakkara becomes only 2nd batsman to pass 14,000 ODI runs |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=8 March 2015 |access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref> He scored 124 runs in the next match against [[Scotland national cricket team|Scotland]], becoming first batsman in World Cup history to score 4 consecutive hundreds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/66013/sanga-creates-history-with-4th-successive-century |title=Sangakkara creates history with 4 consecutive centuries. |work=Daily Mirror |date=11 March 2015 |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141958/http://www.dailymirror.lk/66013/sanga-creates-history-with-4th-successive-century |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara's last ODI innings were disappointing from him and his teams' point of view, where Sri Lanka lost the quarter-final against South Africa on 18 March 2015. He only scored 45 runs, it was Sri Lanka's first World Cup defeat in a quarter final after 1999. His teammate Mahela also retired from ODI career with this match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/03/sangakkara-and-mahela-bid-farewell-as-south-africa-proceeds-to-semi-final/84144 |title=Sangakkara and Mahela bid farewell as South Africa proceed to the Semi Final |work=Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst – News1st – newsfirst.lk – Breaking |access-date=18 March 2015 |archive-date=20 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320180228/http://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/03/sangakkara-and-mahela-bid-farewell-as-south-africa-proceeds-to-semi-final/84144 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' for the 2015 World Cup by the ICC.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-30/world-cup-team-of-the-tournament-revealed/6358716 |title=World Cup team of the tournament revealed |first=Dean |last=Bilton |date=30 March 2015 |website=ABC News |access-date=16 July 2019 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030141114/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-30/world-cup-team-of-the-tournament-revealed/6358716 |url-status=live }}</ref>

He retired from T20Is in April 2014 and from ODIs on 18 March 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-england-2014-15/content/story/810145.html |title=Sangakkara firm over ODI retirement |first=Kumara |last=Sangakkara |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=13 December 2014 |access-date=13 December 2014 |archive-date=14 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214103524/http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-england-2014-15/content/story/810145.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 June 2015, he officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, to be effective following the [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015|second Test against India]] that year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cricket/33298534 |title=Kumara Sangakkara: Sri Lanka batsman set to retire |work=BBC Sport |date=27 June 2015 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122202/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/33298534 |url-status=live }}</ref> He scored 32 and 18 in his last Test match and was dismissed by [[Ravichandran Ashwin]] in both innings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cricket World Rewind: #OnThisDay – Kumar Sangakkara has an imperfect end to his glorious Test career |url=https://www.cricketworld.com/cricket-world-rewind-onthisday-kumar-sangakkara-has-an-imperfect-end-to-his-glorious-test-career/65198.htm |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Cricket World |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924085850/https://www.cricketworld.com/cricket-world-rewind-onthisday-kumar-sangakkara-has-an-imperfect-end-to-his-glorious-test-career/65198.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Statistical summary===
Sangakkara averaged 57.40 in Test cricket and 42 in ODIs.<ref name="KS022">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/50710.html |title=Player Profile – ODI Average |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=30 November 2013 |archive-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822143338/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/50710.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the time of his retirement, Sangakkara was the second-highest ODI run-scorer after Sachin Tendulkar, and the sixth-highest Test run-scorer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting |title=Batting records |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=16 February 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122304/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;template=results;type=batting |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting |title=Batting records |work=ESPNcricinfo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228215456/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting |archive-date=28 February 2014 }}</ref>

He scored [[List of international cricket centuries by Kumar Sangakkara|38 centuries in Test cricket]], more than any other Sri Lankan batter. In addition, he scored 25 centuries in ODIs.<ref name="KS021">{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/50710.html |title=Player profile: Kumar Sangakkara |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 January 2015 |archive-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822143338/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/50710.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara holds the record for the most wicket-keeping dismissals (482) in ODI cricket, with 383 catches and 99 stumpings.<ref name="KS003">{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283792.html |title=Records |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=25 October 2019 |archive-date=23 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623070426/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283792.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His 13,262 runs in ODIs is the record by a wicket-keeper-batter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/WicketKeeping/WicketKeepingMostRuns_ODI.asp |title=most runs as wicketkeeper batsman in ODI cricket |work=howstat |access-date=11 April 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924091230/https://howstat.com//cricket/Statistics/WicketKeeping/WicketKeepingMostRuns_ODI.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> In the history of the Cricket World Cup, Sangakkara has completed the highest number of dismissals by a wicketkeeper – 54 in 37 matches. He was the second wicket-keeper after [[Adam Gilchrist]] to complete fifty dismissals in World Cups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_career.html?id=12;type=trophy |title=Most dismissals as wicketkeeper in World Cups |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=11 April 2017 |archive-date=24 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324180255/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_career.html?id=12%3Btype%3Dtrophy |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Playing style and personality==
===Batting===
As a left hand batter, Sangakkara tended to play off his front foot, using the [[drive (cricket)|cover drive]] as one of his regular scoring shots. He also liked to hit the ball square of the stumps on the offside, using the [[cut (cricket)|cut shot]]. The [[pull and hook|pull]] to leg or onside was another natural stroke for him.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

===Wicket-keeping===
As a wicket-keeper, Sangakkara was noted for his energy and athleticism.<ref name="TI01"/><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/cricket/sangakkara-brings-all-round-qualities-to-sri-lanka-team-idUSL20581993/  | title=Sangakkara brings all-round qualities to Sri Lanka team | publisher=[[Reuters]] | date=2007-08-09}}</ref>

===Approach to controversy===
Sangakkara is noted for his willingness to speak openly about controversial topics and he was chosen by [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (MCC) to deliver the 2011 [[Cowdrey Lecture|Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture]] at [[Lord's]]. He was both the youngest person and the first active international player to do so. His speech was widely praised by the cricketing community which welcomed Sangakkara's frank statements and outspoken style.<ref name="KS015">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/522183.html |author=ESPN staff |title=Sangakkara's MCC Spirit of Cricket Lecture |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=15 April 2012 |archive-date=23 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423041404/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/522183.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jul/05/the-spin-kumar-sangakkara |last=Bull |first=Andy |title=Kumara Sangakkara: a credit to his sport and his country |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=15 December 2016 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924091228/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jul/05/the-spin-kumar-sangakkara |url-status=live }}</ref>

The one-hour-long speech focused on corruption within cricket administration in Sri Lanka. Sangakkara said:
{{blockquote|Accountability and transparency in administration and credibility of conduct were lost in a mad power struggle that would leave Sri Lankan cricket with no clear, consistent administration.<ref name="KS013">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/14050074 |last=Pathirana |first=Saroj |title=Sangakkara speech lands Sri Lanka Cricket in trouble |work=BBC Sport |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=13 February 2018 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924091347/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/14050074 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

He observed that the problems had arisen only after Sri Lanka's [[1996 Cricket World Cup]] victory and blamed "a handful of well-meaning individuals" who control the game, wasting the finances and resources of [[Sri Lanka Cricket]].<ref name="KS013"/> Immediately after the lecture, the Sri Lankan sports minister [[Mahindananda Aluthgamage]] ordered an investigation into Sangakkara's allegations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/srilanka/8618736/Kumar-Sangakkaras-plaudits-for-Cowdrey-lecture-tainted-by-news-of-Sri-Lanka-governments-investigation.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/srilanka/8618736/Kumar-Sangakkaras-plaudits-for-Cowdrey-lecture-tainted-by-news-of-Sri-Lanka-governments-investigation.html |last=Hoult |first=Nick |title=Kumar Sangakkara's plaudits for Cowdrey lecture tainted by news of Sri Lanka government's investigation |work=Daily Telegraph |date=5 July 2011 |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Despite critical comments by officials in the Sri Lankan government, it has been described as "the most important speech in cricket history."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/522022.html |last=Roebuck |first=Peter |title=Sangakkara's challenge to cricket |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=12 June 2012 |archive-date=10 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210233426/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/522022.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

One of cricket's most controversial issues is so-called "[[Sledging (cricket)|sledging]]" and Sangakkara has won some admiration for being willing to talk about it openly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2015/content/story/908499.html |last=Fernando |first=Andrew Fidel |title=Aggression never about verbals or sledging – Sangakkara |date=11 August 2015 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=1 June 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924091230/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/aggression-never-about-verbals-or-sledging-sangakkara-908499 |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview in 2004 he explained his approach to it:
{{blockquote|The public perception of sledging is to go out there and abuse someone in obscene language, questioning their parentage or sexual preferences. That kind of abuse does not belong on the field of play. Sledging, as coined and pioneered by the Australians, is a measured comment designed to get a reaction out of a player. It could be any reaction: a bit of anger, a show of arrogance, a comment, a shake of the head, or a slump of the shoulders.|Kumara Sangakkara in 2004<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/135846.html |title=The individualist |first=Charlie |last=Austin |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=12 December 2004 |access-date=4 April 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924091359/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-individualist-135846 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

===Tributes===
When Sangakkara retired from international cricket, he received praise from many sources which confirmed his popularity in the sport and underlined the respect his fellow professionals have always held for him. India's captain Virat Kohli, for example, spoke of Sangakkara as "a lovely human being" who had been "a wonderful player for Sri Lanka" and someone whom "a lot of left-handers really look up to, for the way he plays". Kohli emphasised: "His technique and the way he has scored runs all over the world, his numbers speak for themselves".<ref name="KSR">{{cite news |url=http://www.cricket.com.au/news/kumar-sangakkara-retirement-farewel-virat-kohli-angelo-mathews-india-sri-lanka/2015-08-17 |title=Cricket salutes Sanga ahead of final Test |publisher=Cricket Australia |date=17 August 2015 |access-date=24 August 2015 |archive-date=19 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819235604/http://www.cricket.com.au/news/kumar-sangakkara-retirement-farewel-virat-kohli-angelo-mathews-india-sri-lanka/2015-08-17 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Angelo Mathews]], Sri Lanka's captain at the time, said Sangakkara was "the 'backbone' of their team".<ref name="KSR"/> [[Cricket Australia]] said that, his batting feats aside, Sangakkara "holds a reputation as one of the game's true gentlemen".<ref name="KSR"/>

Matches between [[Nalanda College, Colombo]], and Trinity College, Kandy, have been part of Sri Lanka's schools cricket calendar since 1978. Mahela Jayawardene was a student of the former and Kumar Sangakkara of the latter. In January 2019, the colleges created the [[Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy]] as the prize for their future matches against each other. The trophy is dedicated to "two cricketing gentlemen who have shown their willingness to contribute to society on countless occasions".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://archives1.dailynews.lk/2020/01/17/sports/208702/mahela-sanga-challenge-trophy-jan-20-21 |title=Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy on Jan 20-21 |newspaper=Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy on Jan 20-21 |date=17 January 2020 |access-date=24 September 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928194547/https://archives1.dailynews.lk/2020/01/17/sports/208702/mahela-sanga-challenge-trophy-jan-20-21 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Post-retirement==
===Committee work for Sri Lanka Cricket===
Sangakkara joined Sri Lanka's international selection committee on 7 March 2016, working with chairman [[Aravinda de Silva]] and fellow selectors [[Romesh Kaluwitharana]], [[Ranjith Madurasinghe]], and [[Lalith Kaluperuma]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/979207.html |author=ESPN staff |title=Sangakkara appointed Sri Lanka selector in major revamp |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=7 March 2016 |access-date=8 March 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308112311/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/979207.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Sangakkara was appointed to Sri Lanka Cricket's four-man technical advisory committee panel, again working with de Silva; the other two members were Muttiah Muralitharan and [[Roshan Mahanama]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/aravinda-de-silva-chairman-sri-lanka-cricket-committee-sangakkara-roshan-mahanama-muralitharan/article33760023.ece |author=Staff writer |title=Aravinda de Silva to head Sri Lanka's cricket committee |work=SportStar |publisher=The Hindu |date=5 February 2021 |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924091313/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/aravinda-de-silva-chairman-sri-lanka-cricket-committee-sangakkara-roshan-mahanama-muralitharan/article33760023.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/02/05/sports/240834/four-member-technical-advisory-committee-appointed |author=Staff writer |title=Four-member Technical Advisory Committee appointed |newspaper=Daily News |date=5 February 2021 |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302151026/http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/02/05/sports/240834/four-member-technical-advisory-committee-appointed |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-committee-sangakkara-muralitharan-de-silva-7179495/ |author=AP News Agency |title=Kumar Sangakkara, Muttiah Muralitharan tasked with reviving Sri Lanka team |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=8 February 2021 |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302151016/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-committee-sangakkara-muralitharan-de-silva-7179495/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Broadcasting===
Sangakkara has worked for [[Sky Sports]] since 2018 as a [[Sports commentator|cricket commentatator]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/kumar-sangakkara-sky-sports-cricket-commentator-ricky-ponting-a8302176.html |last=Liew |first=Jonathan |title=Kumar Sangakkara to join Sky Sports commentary team in cricket shake-up |newspaper=The Independent |date=12 April 2018 |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817131851/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/kumar-sangakkara-sky-sports-cricket-commentator-ricky-ponting-a8302176.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has received much praise for the analytical aspect of his comments, which have been described as insightful.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/cricket/the-ashes-2023-commentators-sky-sports/ |last=Cox |first=Sam |title=Sky Sports Ashes commentators |work=Radio Times |publisher=Immediate Media Company Ltd |date=14 June 2023 |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924091231/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/cricket/the-ashes-2023-commentators-sky-sports/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===MCC President===
In January 2019, Sangakkara accepted an invitation from the incumbent President of Marylebone Cricket Club, Anthony Wreford, to be his successor. The decision was announced on 1 May 2019, at which time Sangakkara became the President-Designate.<ref name="KS009">{{cite web |url=https://www.lords.org/lords/news-stories/sangakarra-new-president |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=2 May 2019 |title=Kumar Sangakkara to become next MCC President |publisher=Marylebone Cricket Club |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122229/https://www.lords.org/lords/news-stories/sangakarra-new-president |url-status=live }}</ref> His one-year term began on 1 October 2019 and Sangakkara was the first non-British MCC President since the club was founded in 1787.<ref name="KS009"/><ref name="KS008">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/may/01/kumar-sangakkara-becomes-first-non-british-mcc-president |title=Kumar Sangakkara becomes first non-British MCC president |newspaper=The Guardian |date=1 May 2019 |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501201021/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/may/01/kumar-sangakkara-becomes-first-non-british-mcc-president |url-status=live }}</ref> He described MCC as "the greatest cricket club in the world" and said being named as its president was a "huge honour".<ref name="KS008"/> He had been awarded honorary life membership of MCC in 2012 and had joined its World Cricket Committee the same year.<ref name="KS009"/> He was succeeded by [[Clare Connor]], who became MCC's first female president.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1696978 |title=Clare Connor set to become first female MCC president |publisher=International Cricket Council |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001134052/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1696978 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Coaching===
{{Update|section|date=September 2023}}
Sangakkara is the current Director of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, appointed since January 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2021-rajasthan-royals-appoint-kumar-sangakkara-director-of-cricket-1249032 |author=ESPN staff |title=Rajasthan Royals appoint Kumar Sangakkara director of cricket |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=24 January 2021 |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122206/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2021-rajasthan-royals-appoint-kumar-sangakkara-director-of-cricket-1249032 |url-status=live }}</ref> Under his direction, the Royals reached the 2022 IPL Final but lost by 7 wickets to [[Gujarat Titans]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/indian-premier-league-2022-1298423/gujarat-titans-vs-rajasthan-royals-final-1312200/full-scorecard |title=Royals vs Titans: IPL Final 2022 |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |access-date=24 September 2023 |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221025135/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/indian-premier-league-2022-1298423/gujarat-titans-vs-rajasthan-royals-final-1312200/full-scorecard |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[2023 Indian Premier League|IPL 2023]], Royals finished fifth in the points table.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===ICC Hall of Fame===
In June 2021, Sangakkara was elected to the [[ICC Cricket Hall of Fame]], the second Sri Lankan player after Muttiah Muralitharan to receive the honour.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/06/14/kumar-sangakkara-inducted-into-the-icc-hall-of-fame-2021/ |last=Farzan |first=Zulfick |title=Kumar Sangakkara inducted into the ICC Hall Of Fame 2021 |newspaper=NewsFirst |date=14 June 2021 |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705151054/https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/06/14/kumar-sangakkara-inducted-into-the-icc-hall-of-fame-2021/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/andy-flower-and-kumar-sangakkara-among-10-players-inducted-into-icc-hall-of-fame-1266357 |title=Andy Flower and Kumar Sangakkara among 10 players inducted into ICC Hall of Fame |work=ESPNcricinfo |publisher=ESPN Sports Media Ltd |date=13 June 2021 |access-date=13 June 2021 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613163436/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/andy-flower-and-kumar-sangakkara-among-10-players-inducted-into-icc-hall-of-fame-1266357 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/117748/sangakkara-andy-flower-among-inductees-in-icc-hall-of-fame |title=Sangakkara, Andy Flower among inductees in ICC Hall of Fame |work=cricbuzz |publisher=Times Internet Ltd |date=13 June 2021 |access-date=13 June 2021 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613160035/https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/117748/sangakkara-andy-flower-among-inductees-in-icc-hall-of-fame |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Club cricket===
In 2024, Sangakkara came out of retirement to play for Dorset Division 3 side Shillingstone CC. He bats at 5 after claiming he is "untested at this level".<ref>{{cite web |title=Kumar Sangakkara on playing village cricket: I bat at No.5 because I'm thoroughly unproven at this level |url=https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/kumar-sangakkara-on-his-village-cricket-career |website=Wisden |access-date=19 June 2025 |date=19 June 2024}}</ref>


==Personal life==
Sangakkara met his wife, Yehali, when they were at school together; they have twin children who were born in 2009 soon after he assumed the Sri Lanka captaincy.<ref name="KS010"/><ref name="AFFCS"/> Yehali has accompanied him on tour including nearly two months in the West Indies for the [[2007 Cricket World Cup]], in which Sri Lanka were the runners-up.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/070506/Plus/009_pls.html |last=Fernandopulle |first=Natasha |title=Well done and welcome home |work=The Sunday Times |date=6 May 2007 |access-date=10 August 2007 |archive-date=18 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918093819/http://sundaytimes.lk/070506/Plus/009_pls.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2011, Sangakkara collaborated with [[Mahela Jayawardene]] and veteran chef [[Dharshan Munidasa]] to open the ''Ministry of Crab'' which has developed into one of Colombo's most successful restaurants.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.femina.in/travel/international/dont-miss-these-must-try-restaurants-in-colombo-sri-lanka-220261-5.html |last=Dean |first=Rupali |title=Don't Miss These Must-Try Restaurants in Colombo |work=Femina |publisher=The Times of India |date=24 February 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302151017/https://www.femina.in/travel/international/dont-miss-these-must-try-restaurants-in-colombo-sri-lanka-220261-5.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sangakkara is a devout [[Buddhism|Buddhist]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McRae |first=Donald |date=2014-05-19 |title=Kumar Sangakkara: 'It's been an amazing privilege to play the game' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/may/19/kumar-sangakkara-privilege-to-play-cricket |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Sri Lankan team leaves for CT |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/photos/sri-lankan-team-leaves-for-ct-6288 |access-date=2024-04-14 |work=NDTVSports.com |archive-date=24 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924092704/https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/photos/sri-lankan-team-leaves-for-ct-6288 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is involved with Sri Lankan charities, mainly those which help children. He is a member of the ''Think Wise Initiative'', which was launched by the [[International Cricket Council|ICC]] in co-operation with [[UNICEF]] and the [[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS]]. It is aimed at raising awareness of HIV prevention and eliminating discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS. Sangakkara is also a partner in the ''Foundation of Goodness'', a children's charity launched by [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] in [[Galle]].<ref name="KS018"/>

On 19 August 2015, just after the [[2015 Sri Lankan parliamentary election]], President [[Maithripala Sirisena]] appointed Sangakkara as Ambassador of Anti-narcotics, a program which aims to promote awareness of and reduce dependency on dangerous drugs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/84065/sanga12 |author=Staff writer |title=Sanga as anti-narcotics Ambassador |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=19 August 2015 |access-date=24 August 2015 |archive-date=22 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822021434/http://www.dailymirror.lk/84065/sanga12 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/08/veteran-batsman-kumar-sangakkara-appointed-nddcb-brand-ambassador/107559 |author=Staff writer |title=Veteran batsman Kumar Sangakkara appointed NDDCB Brand Ambassador |newspaper=Sri Lanka News |date=19 August 2015 |archive-date=31 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031031109/http://newsfirst.lk/english/2015/08/veteran-batsman-kumar-sangakkara-appointed-nddcb-brand-ambassador/107559 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/kumar-sangakkara-sri-lankas-most-stirring-ambassador-was-a-gift-to-our-game/ |last=Bhogle |first=Harsha |title=Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka's most stirring ambassador, was a gift to our game |work=The Indian Express |date=19 August 2015 |access-date=20 August 2015 |archive-date=19 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819234919/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/kumar-sangakkara-sri-lankas-most-stirring-ambassador-was-a-gift-to-our-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of international cricket centuries by Kumar Sangakkara]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Facebook|name=Kumar Sangakkara|id=Official.Kumar.Sangakkara}}
* {{Twitter|id=KumarSanga2|name=Kumar Sangakkara}}
* [http://www.kumarsangakkara.lk/ Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422013724/http://kumarsangakkara.lk/ |date=22 April 2021}}
* [http://www.islandcricket.lk/category/tags/kumar-sangakkara Kumara Sangakkara videos, photos and news]
* [https://www.trendmantra.com/kumar-sangakkara-the-gentleman-stylist-of-sri-lankan-cricket Kumar Sangakkara: The Gentleman Stylist Of Sri Lankan Cricket]

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{{succession box |title=[[Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World]] |before=[[Sachin Tendulkar]] |after=[[Michael Clarke (cricketer)|Michael Clarke]] |years=2011}}
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{{succession box
| before = [[Mahela Jayawardene]]
| title  = [[Sri Lankan national cricket captains|Sri Lankan national cricket captain]]
| years  = 2009–2011
| after  = [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]]
|}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sangakkara, Kumar}}
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