International career

[edit]Early career

At the age of 22 Sangakkara made his Test debut on 20 July 2000, keeping wicket in the first fixture of a three-match series against South Africa. Sri Lanka won the match and in his side's only innings Sangakarra batted at the fall of the third wicket and scored 23 runs before he was dismissed leg before wicket by spin bowler Nico Boje.^[20] He received his first man of the match award in the 2nd match of the Singer Triangular Series, 2000, scoring 85 runs against South Africa.^[21] He ended the series with 199 runs, at an average of 66.33, securing his place for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Before reaching his first Test century, he was twice dismissed in the 90s, once against each of South Africa and England. In August 2001, India toured Sri Lanka for three Tests and in the opening match Sangakkara scored his first century.^[22] His innings of 105 not out at number three helped set up a ten-wicket victory for Sri Lanka.^[23] Later that year Sangakkara scored his second Test century, this time in the first of three matches against the touring West Indians.^[24]

He scored his first double-century against Pakistan in 2002, at the 2nd Asian Test Championship final.^[25] His performance helped Sri Lanka secure the Test championship. In April 2003, Sangakkara made his first ODI century against Pakistan, in a losing effort.^[26] Together with Marvan Atapattu, he made a partnership of 438 for the 2nd wicket—4th highest in the world—against Zimbabwe in 2004.^[27] In that game, he scored 270, his first 250+ score.^[28] In July 2005, he was selected to the ICC World XI ODI team but missed out from its Test counterpart.