Kumar Sangakkara Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Records, Career

Kumar Sangakkara is a Sri Lankan cricket legend, commentator, and former captain of the national team, widely regarded as one of the greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen in cricket history.

Born on October 27, 1977, in Matale, Sri Lanka, he amassed 28,016 runs across all international formats and holds numerous records, including the most Test centuries by a wicketkeeper.

Profile

• Full Name: Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara
• Stage Name: “Sanga”
• Born: October 27, 1977
• Age: 47 years old
• Birthplace: Matale, Central Province, Sri Lanka
• Nationality: Sri Lankan
• Occupation: Sri Lankan Former Cricketer, Cricket Commentator, Coach, and Administrator
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parents: Kshema Sangakkara (father, civil lawyer), and Kumari Sangakkara (mother)
• Siblings: 3, Thushari Sangakkara (sister), Saranga Sangakkara (sister), and Vemindra Sangakkara (brother)
• Spouse: Yehali Sangakkara (married 2003)
• Children: Kavith Sangakkara (son), and Swyree Sangakkara (daughter), twins born 2009
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million to $21 million

Early Life and Education

Kumar Sangakkara was born on October 27, 1977, in Matale, Central Province, Sri Lanka, as the youngest of four children to Kshema, a civil lawyer, and Kumari Sangakkara.

Raised near Kandy, he grew up during the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009), with his family sheltering Tamil families during the 1983 Black July riots, shaping his inclusive worldview. He attended Trinity College, Kandy, excelling in cricket, badminton, and tennis, and was a chorister and violinist.

His siblings—Thushari (basketball), Saranga (tennis, national champion), and Vemindra (cricket, badminton)—were also athletes. Kumar captained school cricket teams (Under-13 to First XI) and was Senior Prefect, earning the Trinity Lion and Ryde Gold Medal for outstanding sports and academics. He later enrolled in the University of Colombo’s Law Faculty but prioritized cricket after his 2000 international debut.

Career

Sangakkara debuted for Sri Lanka in July 2000, scoring 85 runs in his second ODI against South Africa, earning Man of the Match. His Test debut followed that year, with a maiden century in his tenth Test. A left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, he played for Nondescripts Cricket Club (1997–2014) and Surrey County Cricket Club (2015–2017).

He holds the record for the highest Test partnership (624 runs with Mahela Jayawardene, 2006) and scored 11 double centuries, second only to Don Bradman. His 287 against South Africa (2006) and 319 against Bangladesh (2014) are career highlights.

Sangakkara captained Sri Lanka from 2009 to 2011, leading to the 2011 World Cup final and 2014 T20 World Cup victory, where he earned Man of the Match. He retired from T20Is in 2014, ODIs in 2015, and Tests in 2015, with 12,400 Test runs (57.14 average) and 14,234 ODI runs (41.99 average).

Post-retirement, he became a Sky Sports commentator, served as Marylebone Cricket Club President (2019–2021), and coaches the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In 2024, he played for Shillingstone CC in Dorset.

Awards and Nominations

• Won: ICC Cricketer of the Year (Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, 2012)
• Won: ICC Test Cricketer of the Year (2012)
• Won: ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year (2011, 2013)
• Won: Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World (2011, 2015)
• Won: LG People’s Choice Award (2011, 2012)
• Won: CEAT International Cricketer of the Year (2015)
• Won: Man of the Match, 2014 ICC T20 World Cup Final
• Inducted: ICC Cricket Hall of Fame (June 2021)
• Nominated: Various ICC World Test and ODI XI selections (2006, 2010–2011, 2013–2015) His contributions earned him honorary life membership of the MCC (2012).

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @kumarsangakkara
• Twitter Handle: @KumarSanga2
• Facebook Handle: @Official.Kumar.Sangakkara

Personal Life

Kumar Sangakkara lives in Sri Lanka, likely Colombo, with his wife, Yehali Sangakkara, whom he met at Trinity College, Kandy, and married in 2003. They have twins, Kavith and Swyree, born in 2009.

A law graduate and voracious reader, he is known for his eloquence, notably in his 2011 MCC Spirit of Cricket Lecture challenging Sri Lankan cricket’s politics. Sangakkara identifies as inclusive, stating, “I am Tamil, Sinhalese, Muslim, and Burgher,” reflecting his Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian influences.

He is involved in philanthropy, supporting cancer initiatives with Mahela Jayawardene. During the 2009 Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan team, he sustained minor shoulder injuries. He enjoys music, reading, and family time, avoiding major controversies.

Filmography

• 2007 ICC World Twenty20 (2007, TV special) – Self
• 2011 Cricket World Cup (2011, TV special) – Self
• Victory (year unspecified, documentary) – Self

Net Worth

Kumar Sangakkara’s net worth is estimated at $5 million to $21 million, derived from his cricket career (Test, ODI, T20I earnings), IPL contracts (e.g., Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab), endorsements, and business ventures. His role as Rajasthan Royals coach and Sky Sports commentator, plus investments, contribute significantly.