Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli, England, India, Ajinkya Rahane
Kumar sangakkara (credits - getty)

Kumar Sangakkara, former Sri Lankan captain, will go down as one of the greatest batsmen that the island nation has ever produced. Having made his debut at the turn of the 21st century, the stylish left-handed batsman went on to impinge himself as one of the modern-day legends and he did that through his sheer penchant for being the best in the business.

Sangakkara represented Sri Lanka in 134 Tests, 404 ODIs, and 56 Twenty20 Internationals, where he racked up 12400, 14234, and 1382 runs respectively at an average of 57.14, 41.99 and 31.41. He also scored a total of 153 half-centuries and 63 international hundreds before calling time on his celebrated career in 2015.

Sangakkara, during the course of his 15-year-old international career, inspired a whole host of young boys and girls to take up this beautiful game. But, who was Sanga’s inspiration in his formative years? The current MCC President was asked the same question by a fan during a recent social media interaction. And, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman had no hesitation in naming the West Indian duo of Sir Vivian Richards and Brian Lara.

“It was Sir Viv Richards up until Brian Lara came around – since then they shared an equal importance on my list.” Kumar Sangakkara said.

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‘1996 World Cup win inspired him to play international cricket’- Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara Reveals Vivian Richards And Brian Lara As His Batting Heroes In His Formative Years
Kumar Sangakkara (Credits: PCB)

1996 was a special year for Sri Lankan cricket. It was in this year that the island nation emerged from the shadows of the other cricketing powerhouses, and under the inspired leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga went on to defy all the odds stacked against them to win their maiden 50-over World Cup.

Just like India’s 1983 World Cup-win inspired the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, and many other cricketers of that generation to play international cricket, the 1996 heist in Sri Lanka inspired Kumar Sangakkara to pursue the game at the highest level.

“Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara were my batting heroes. I’d say the 1996 Sri Lanka World-Cup winning side inspired me to playing international cricket too,” Kumar Sangakkara added.

Kumar Sangakkara went on to lead Sri Lanka in two World Cup finals- 2009 T20 World Cup & 2011 50-over World Cup. But unfortunately on both occasions, he and his side ended up as runners-up. And, it was only in 2014 that his dream of lifting a World Cup was fulfilled when Sri Lanka beat India in the T20 World Cup final.

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