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How Sangakkara's Test career panned out

Kumar Sangakkara retires from Test cricket

Kumar Sangakkara made his Test debut against South Africa in Galle in July 2000. In the three-Test series, Sangakkara accumulated 83 runs, which was by his own admission "a terrible time". But in 2001, he made a gritty 98 against South Africa in Centurion, and "that was probably the first time I thought I can become a Test player". He backed that up with a 95 against England a few months later.
Kumar Sangakkara made his Test debut against South Africa in Galle in July 2000. In the three-Test series, Sangakkara accumulated 83 runs, which was by his own admission "a terrible time". But in 2001, he made a gritty 98 against South Africa in Centurion, and "that was probably the first time I thought I can become a Test player". He backed that up with a 95 against England a few months later. •Getty Images
Following his double-ton, Sangakkara failed to score a century for 30 innings, spanning more than two years. This period included a three-match Test series in England in which he scored 105 runs.
Following his double-ton, Sangakkara failed to score a century for 30 innings, spanning more than two years. This period included a three-match Test series in England in which he scored 105 runs. •Getty Images
An even greater slice of history awaited. Sangakkara spent the last days of 2006 stitching a 624-run partnership with Mahela Jayawardena against South Africa in Colombo - the highest stand for any wicket in Test cricket
An even greater slice of history awaited. Sangakkara spent the last days of 2006 stitching a 624-run partnership with Mahela Jayawardena against South Africa in Colombo - the highest stand for any wicket in Test cricket•Getty Images
In November 2007, chasing 507, Sangakkara scored 192 in the second innings against Australia in Hobart - a knock he termed 'special'. "I had a grade two hamstring injury, and I managed to get back in 16 days and score a century in Hobart, in a losing cause unfortunately."
In November 2007, chasing 507, Sangakkara scored 192 in the second innings against Australia in Hobart - a knock he termed 'special'. "I had a grade two hamstring injury, and I managed to get back in 16 days and score a century in Hobart, in a losing cause unfortunately."•Getty Images
In the first Test against Pakistan in Galle in June 2012, Sangakkara celebrated his ninth Test double-ton but the scoreboard had incorrectly added an extra run to his tally. In the next over, last man Nuwan Pradeep was bowled leaving Sangakkara stranded on 199. He missed another double-century in the next Test after he was dismissed for 192
In the first Test against Pakistan in Galle in June 2012, Sangakkara celebrated his ninth Test double-ton but the scoreboard had incorrectly added an extra run to his tally. In the next over, last man Nuwan Pradeep was bowled leaving Sangakkara stranded on 199. He missed another double-century in the next Test after he was dismissed for 192 •AFP
In February 2014 came Sangakkara's crowning glory - he scored a career-best 319 against Bangladesh in the first innings in Chittagong and followed that up with 105 in the second innings. That 424 is the third-highest match aggregate in Tests
In February 2014 came Sangakkara's crowning glory - he scored a career-best 319 against Bangladesh in the first innings in Chittagong and followed that up with 105 in the second innings. That 424 is the third-highest match aggregate in Tests•AFP
Sangakkara scored more international runs in 2014 than he had ever been made in any year - 1493
Sangakkara scored more international runs in 2014 than he had ever been made in any year - 1493 •Getty Images
"I still remember what Muttiah Muralitharan told me when he was retiring. We told him to play more matches and go for that 800 wickets. He said, 'If I can't take eight wickets in one match, there's no point. If I take eight, we're going to win that match.' I consider myself very fortunate to play for my country for 15 years."
"I still remember what Muttiah Muralitharan told me when he was retiring. We told him to play more matches and go for that 800 wickets. He said, 'If I can't take eight wickets in one match, there's no point. If I take eight, we're going to win that match.' I consider myself very fortunate to play for my country for 15 years."•AFP
He made his first Test century in his 17th innings, against India in 2001. He followed that up with two more tons before the year was out. His first double-hundred came in March 2002 against Pakistan in Lahore, where he struck a 327-ball 230, helping Sri Lanka win the Asian Test Championship.
He made his first Test century in his 17th innings, against India in 2001. He followed that up with two more tons before the year was out. His first double-hundred came in March 2002 against Pakistan in Lahore, where he struck a 327-ball 230, helping Sri Lanka win the Asian Test Championship. •Arif Ali/AFP
"I've found England very hard to bat in. I've watched Marvan score runs there. Dilshan, Mahela, Aravinda, Sanath all got runs. I watched all these players, and when I found it difficult, I had to come to terms not only with conditions, but also my own expectations."
"I've found England very hard to bat in. I've watched Marvan score runs there. Dilshan, Mahela, Aravinda, Sanath all got runs. I watched all these players, and when I found it difficult, I had to come to terms not only with conditions, but also my own expectations."•Getty Images
Following that Test, Sangakkara had a superlative 16 months in Tests. Between August 2006 and December 2007, he played eight matches and scored 1242 runs at an average of 138, including four consecutive match aggregates of 200 runs or more
Following that Test, Sangakkara had a superlative 16 months in Tests. Between August 2006 and December 2007, he played eight matches and scored 1242 runs at an average of 138, including four consecutive match aggregates of 200 runs or more•Getty Images
In between this extended period of form, Prasanna Jayawardena was chosen to keep wicket. Sangakkara played just one Test as a designated wicketkeeper thereafter. "When I look back on it now, that was the best thing to happen to me. That has hugely influenced the runs that I scored, and the centuries I made."
In between this extended period of form, Prasanna Jayawardena was chosen to keep wicket. Sangakkara played just one Test as a designated wicketkeeper thereafter. "When I look back on it now, that was the best thing to happen to me. That has hugely influenced the runs that I scored, and the centuries I made."•AFP
"In Sri Lanka, we take pride in winning away from home and scoring runs away from home in conditions that are tough. So I've enjoyed every hundred I've scored, but the ones away from home are special."
"In Sri Lanka, we take pride in winning away from home and scoring runs away from home in conditions that are tough. So I've enjoyed every hundred I've scored, but the ones away from home are special."•Getty Images
Sangakkara and Mahela shared an emotional 107-run stand in Mahela's last Test innings in Colombo, which played a crucial hand in Sri Lanka's win too. The pair put on 6554 runs (second-most behind Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar) in Tests at an average of 56.50 in a period spanning 14 years
Sangakkara and Mahela shared an emotional 107-run stand in Mahela's last Test innings in Colombo, which played a crucial hand in Sri Lanka's win too. The pair put on 6554 runs (second-most behind Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar) in Tests at an average of 56.50 in a period spanning 14 years•AFP
But he was not done yet. In his last overseas Test, he struck a 306-ball 203 - his 11th double-hundred, just one behind Don Bradman's 12, rescuing Sri Lanka from 78 for 5 to take them to 356
But he was not done yet. In his last overseas Test, he struck a 306-ball 203 - his 11th double-hundred, just one behind Don Bradman's 12, rescuing Sri Lanka from 78 for 5 to take them to 356•AFP
Sangakkara will bid adieu to international cricket after the second Test against India, beginning on Thursday
Sangakkara will bid adieu to international cricket after the second Test against India, beginning on Thursday•AFP
However, he had a career-changing year in 2004, scoring 1114 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 55.70, including two double-centuries. He smashed a 365-ball 270 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and shared a 438-run stand with Marvan Atapattu - the fourth-highest second-wicket partnership in Tests to date.
However, he had a career-changing year in 2004, scoring 1114 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 55.70, including two double-centuries. He smashed a 365-ball 270 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and shared a 438-run stand with Marvan Atapattu - the fourth-highest second-wicket partnership in Tests to date. •Sena Vidanagama/AFP
"Whenever I play the cover drive, with the back knee bent and head back, I just say to myself: 'How can that be stylish?' But I'm glad with the amount of runs I've scored and how effective I've been."
"Whenever I play the cover drive, with the back knee bent and head back, I just say to myself: 'How can that be stylish?' But I'm glad with the amount of runs I've scored and how effective I've been."•Getty Images
He enjoyed another memorable year in 2011. Apart from leading Sri Lanka to the finals of the World Cup, he also struck four significant overseas centuries - one of them against England in Southampton earning Sri Lanka a draw, and another against South Africa in Durban, resulting in a win.
He enjoyed another memorable year in 2011. Apart from leading Sri Lanka to the finals of the World Cup, he also struck four significant overseas centuries - one of them against England in Southampton earning Sri Lanka a draw, and another against South Africa in Durban, resulting in a win. •AFP
Sangakkara has scored three centuries in consecutive innings on three occasions in Tests, the only player to do so. He is also the only player to score two 190s and two double-hundreds in successive Tests
Sangakkara has scored three centuries in consecutive innings on three occasions in Tests, the only player to do so. He is also the only player to score two 190s and two double-hundreds in successive Tests•AFP
Sangakkara signed a two-year deal with Surrey in early 2015 where he played with Kevin Pietersen, which was equated to "Christmas day," by captain Gareth Batty. "It is a coup for the club."
Sangakkara signed a two-year deal with Surrey in early 2015 where he played with Kevin Pietersen, which was equated to "Christmas day," by captain Gareth Batty. "It is a coup for the club." •Getty Images
In between the World Cup, he announced that he would be done with Tests 'by the end of August' in spite of consistent performances in both forms of the game
In between the World Cup, he announced that he would be done with Tests 'by the end of August' in spite of consistent performances in both forms of the game•AFP