Relive one of the early gems of Kumar Sangakkara’s illustrious career – a masterful 95-run innings against England in the 2nd Test at Kandy, played between March 7–11, 2001.
Facing a disciplined English bowling attack on a turning track, Sangakkara showcased incredible patience, technique, and temperament. He batted for 255 minutes, faced 184 deliveries, and struck 13 beautiful boundaries in a knock full of class and character. Though Sri Lanka eventually lost the match by 3 wickets, Sangakkara’s innings was the highlight — a blend of grit and grace that hinted at the greatness to come.
This video captures the best moments of that knock — every flick, drive, and cut — reminding us why Sangakkara became one of the greatest left-handers in the history of the game.
📌 Match Details:
Match: Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd Test
Venue: Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy
Date: March 07–11, 2001
Innings: 2nd Innings – Sri Lanka
Runs: 95
Balls: 184
Time at Crease: 255 minutes
Fours: 13
👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more legendary cricketing moments!
🎥 Let’s rewind the clock and witness Kumar Sangakkara’s genius in whites.
Facing a disciplined English bowling attack on a turning track, Sangakkara showcased incredible patience, technique, and temperament. He batted for 255 minutes, faced 184 deliveries, and struck 13 beautiful boundaries in a knock full of class and character. Though Sri Lanka eventually lost the match by 3 wickets, Sangakkara’s innings was the highlight — a blend of grit and grace that hinted at the greatness to come.
This video captures the best moments of that knock — every flick, drive, and cut — reminding us why Sangakkara became one of the greatest left-handers in the history of the game.
📌 Match Details:
Match: Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd Test
Venue: Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy
Date: March 07–11, 2001
Innings: 2nd Innings – Sri Lanka
Runs: 95
Balls: 184
Time at Crease: 255 minutes
Fours: 13
👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more legendary cricketing moments!
🎥 Let’s rewind the clock and witness Kumar Sangakkara’s genius in whites.
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SportsTranscript
00:00Kumar Sangakara's innings of 95 of 184 balls in the second innings of the second test against
00:07England at Candy in March 2001 was a masterclass in grit and elegance.
00:12He spent 255 minutes at the Currys, crafting a near-century list with 13 crisp boundaries.
00:19Although England eventually clinched the match by three wickets, it was Sangakara's knock
00:23that stood out — a display of patience, precision and pure class.
00:28In the sweltering heat of Candy, the young left-hander held the fort with remarkable composure,
00:33offering a glimpse of the greatness to come.
00:36Every shot he played was a statement, and while he fell just short of a well-deserved century,
00:41his inning remains etched in memory as one of the determination and grace.
00:45Let's revisit that special knock, hit play and enjoy the brilliance of a future legend
00:50in the making.
00:51Kumar Sangakara, the Sri Lanka football keeper, in at number three.
00:55He had his problems in the first innings against the short pitch delivery.
00:59Extra pace in this pitch.
01:01It's not 300, the next landmark for Darren Goff.
01:07It's all happening as they say.
01:10No ball, pulled away, well-played by Sangakara, he's got four for it, a good stroke, a pretty
01:17good bouncer from Andrew Kadic, had pace and bouncer to the right height, a good shot from
01:22the left-hander.
01:23Good reply.
01:25No ball call, gets on the ball quickly, it's in the air, he's got full bat on it.
01:37Pulled away again, fine leg, Darren Goff, well, he's interested but he can't throw too quickly
01:48away to his right, another fine stroke from Sangakara, defiance from the Sri Lankans, second
01:55boundary in the over.
01:56I do like him as a player, comes in at number three, plays his shots, cracking shots square
02:07of the wickets offside and then just swivels on this, short of a length from Kadic, he's
02:12got a good eye, lightning fast outfield.
02:17He's been keeping wickets for 157 overs, he was in in the first over of the innings.
02:23There are so many of these decisions that it's a bump ball, very clear.
02:27It's going to be four more, runs coming really quickly here now for Sri Lanka.
02:36Well it's all happening, good stroke player from Sri Lanka, good counter attack, only in
02:49the ninth over, score 42, three wickets down in the second innings.
02:56I'm sure we will debate it more and more but just to put an end to it in this particular
03:04session, common sense, where does common sense come into it?
03:10Who let these dogs out, for the referee?
03:17Hammered away, beautiful stroke from Sangakara.
03:23He's never been worried by the shortfall and has taken all the England bowlers to task.
03:35That's a beauty, he's got right inside it, he knows there's nobody at the mid-wicket so
03:40he doesn't really have to control it or keep it down.
03:42That's just a nasty play, just swivelling as he plays it, making himself all the way.
03:48So tell me the point of this, there's a 7-2 offside field.
03:53And you're there, the batsman is about.
03:56They're certainly discussing Sonath Jai Serea's dismissal but you're quite right.
04:01It's all about the conduct.
04:05What are they thinking?
04:06They have Watmore the coach.
04:10That's nicely played, just flicked off of his hip there by Sangakara.
04:15Just got enough on it to roll the foot.
04:19Baron Goff got a foot on it.
04:23Just rolled into the rope.
04:26Beautifully timed.
04:27It really is such good timing.
04:29Just a nice flick of the wrist.
04:31And Darren Goff was always going to struggle with this run.
04:35He was never quite sure whether to go down and fall over.
04:38He opted for the boot and just not able to save it.
04:43Good piece of footwork.
04:44Just didn't take enough pace off the ball.
04:47Oh, now that's a really good shot.
05:02Paddock again with the chase.
05:04Better timed.
05:05Paddock does get a big size 12 on that though.
05:10Good piece of fielding.
05:15Better footwork than Darren Goff.
05:17It's a long chase for the big fella and he's done well.
05:21Got the ball to stop completely but lovely timing again and placement.
05:26Back the foot goes through the line.
05:29Presenting the full face.
05:31There's a lifted piece of footwork.
05:44Oh, missed stumping chance.
05:47Stuarts missed the ball.
05:49With Sangakara way out of his ground.
05:52Big spinning delivery from Giles.
05:55Beautifully bowled.
05:56Well flighted.
05:57Drew Sangakara down and Stuarts missed the stumping.
06:00Great delivery.
06:01Did him in flight.
06:02Nowhere near the pitch.
06:03It's spun on the inside of the bat.
06:05That's a classical dismissal for a left armor.
06:07Bowling over the wicket.
06:08And Alex Stewart just didn't spot it.
06:13He's picked that up.
06:18A couple of bounces to the road.
06:22Good counter attack by Sangakara.
06:29This really is the quality of this young man Sangakara.
06:32Always likes the challenge.
06:34And he does take on Giles.
06:37Hitting more mid wicket.
06:39The patient is the goal.
06:40The quarterback is the top 8-4 in the corner.
06:41And Sengakara moves on to 40.
06:43Dealshan hasn't placed a ball yet.
06:4688 to 5.
06:47Sri Lanka just 2 behind now.
06:49But they've lost those 5 wickets in this 2nd innings.
06:52innings
07:01Sangha Cara down the track it's a magnificent stroke away from the ring
07:05before Sri Lanka in front at last didn't he play that well Sangha Cara
07:12getting down to Robert Croft which is drifting into him and punching it away
07:20on the onside
07:23good use of the feet just see Sangha Cara getting up to the pitch of it
07:29there in their candy with Sri Lanka second in score on 98 for six they leave by
07:37just eight runs ready for coach dad what more to think about story of Sri Lanka's
07:48second innings brilliant new ball spell again from Goff and Paddock white chipped
07:54in with that vital wicket of Jaya Wardner and then two wickets to the off spinner
07:58Croft reducing Sri Lanka he's smashed eight boundaries in his 47 not out he's quite
08:05happy to counter-attack but England will be very very disappointed if they can't
08:13press home their advantage from here
08:16it's an in and out type of field because deep on the leg side there's a deep backward square leg
08:29and a deep mid wicket here's the first ball of the fourth day's play oh
08:33Sangha Cara's got that away through the offside and that'll be very fine 50 indeed for the tall
08:47left-hander from Sri Lanka 50 coming up in just 94 balls faced including now nine boundary
08:57course very fine innings by Thomas Sangha Cara but um wickets coming around him he's held the fort
09:04and um Sri Lanka no doubt um looking to him to get them out of this uphill situation
09:10the players deciding that Sangha Cara hadn't played a genuine shot at this ball
09:31they were probably wrong
09:32off to Sangha Cara
09:45chase for Croft
09:50coming back for three
09:51going England's way so far this morning in the first half hour
10:02i do have to question same choice of bowler at the hantana end
10:08thought that Croft have been a much better option than Giles Giles hasn't been at his best
10:13so far on this tour of Sri Lanka he's a real star in Pakistan
10:17so it's caused a bit of the problem i think
10:21oh good shot just uh pure timing that for extra cover it probably won't go for four
10:28no great feeling fielding brilliant stuff
10:36born England uh 12th man who's uh on the field
10:40Darren Gough is off we think beautiful shot this was a more flighted delivery and he's played with the turn
10:51hasn't tried to hit it too hard Sangha Cara
10:54lovely control with the hands and this was also a good feeling Michael Vaughan
10:59trying to get their own way there
11:01down the track over mid off good shot from more Sangha Cara
11:08lovely stroke things not going England's way eight off the over
11:15155 for six now
11:20what a reply straight down the wicket
11:23picked out the length beautifully he knew there was no one back
11:26just flipped it over the top he really is playing well
11:29unlucky for her feet with fingers wrist elbow shoulder
11:38that's away for four runs
11:44tell me what Sangha Cara is a very good batsman
11:49i think he's an excellent cricketer
11:51keeping Kalawitharana out of this Sri Lankan team
11:55Sangha Cara is the wicket-keeper another vocal wicket-keeper has to be said
12:02but he can surely bat
12:03so involved with good effect against the West Indies around the wicket
12:24quite a number of West Indies left-handers this is going to be close with a hit
12:28with a hit with a hit he's in
12:36Garmasina may have had a life when England appealed to that back pad catch which thought took
12:43put down a tough chance for Craig White but a chance all the same
12:59Sangha Cara is willing to pull it to wide of the bowler
13:03it's a bit of a chance
13:04they are the stick of the don't on his follow-through
13:10never got himself in a position to take the catch he's still on his follow-through there Craig White
13:16doesn't want to hit it there Sangha Cara on the pull
13:21sometimes they stick the full middle-order batsman
13:24the demanding job in these conditions to keep wickets then to come in at number three
13:36it's going to be quick he can't get there Sangha Cara is on to 95 and uh
13:54Sri Lanka lead now by 90 runs
13:58he's gone this time Sangha Cara can't believe he's done that so the ploy for natural
14:11Australia has worked perfectly Sangha Cara tented down the track looking for that big hit over the
14:17leg side but he's perished for 95 and at last England get that breakthrough Sri Lanka seven down
14:25for 181 and it's Croft and the same who has set the trap and it's mid-off that has got this wicket
14:32Nasser Hussain in from the boundary tempting Sangha Cara to go over the top he gets enough
14:38action on the ball Robert Croft this time good take from Alex Stewart Sangha Cara kicks himself
14:44hits himself he's on his way back to the pavilion he scored 95 he's an emotional boy 181 for seven
14:52it Kumar Sangha Cara is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and technically sound left-handed
15:00batsmen in the history of the game his batting style combines grace intelligence and consistency
15:06Sangha Cara was known for his beautiful stroke play his shots especially through the offside
15:11were a treat to watch cover drives square cuts and flicks of his pads were among his signature strokes
15:17all played with perfect timing and balance he had a rock solid technique which helped him succeed in
15:23all formats and in different conditions around the world his head position foot movement and batswing
15:29were textbook perfect allowing him to handle both pace and spin comfortably in game spinner Sangha Cara
15:35footwork was exceptional he would use his feet to come down the track or rock back quickly to play square
15:41of the wicket this made him a dominant player in the subcontinent Kumar Sangha Cara was a
15:47thinking cricketer he could adapt his game based on the match situation whether it was building a long
15:53innings in test cricket or accelerating in ODIs and T20s he understood the game deeply and adjusted
15:59accordingly his temperament was one of his greatest strengths he was calm under pressure and often
16:05rescued Sri Lanka from difficult situation his hunger for runs and ability to concentrate for long periods
16:12made him a prolific run scorer though he had classical technique he also had
16:17strong wrist that helped him maneuver the ball into gaps and rotate the strike efficiently this made
16:24him equally effective in slower conditions Sangha Cara rarely played reckless short he built his
16:29innings methodically and made it difficult for ballers to dismiss him his short selection was very
16:35mature and disciplined in summary Kumar Sangha Cara batting style was a perfect blend of class control
16:41and intelligence he remains an inspiration for young cricketers worldwide if you like this video please
16:48comment share and subscribe thanks for watching