Kumar Sangakkara is widely known for his calm and composed demeanour on the cricket field, rarely allowing his emotions to get the better of him. However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has recalled an incident when the former Sri Lanka captain lost his cool and accused the Indian team of cheating.
The incident took place during a Test match in Delhi in 2005, when Pathan opened the innings alongside Gautam Gambhir and went on to score 93. However, his impressive knock was overshadowed by a heated exchange with Sangakkara.
Pathan recalled that the Sri Lankan team had been unhappy after the umpires changed the ball during their bowling innings. Sangakkara was reportedly the most vocal about the issue. When India began their chase, he confronted Pathan and accused the hosts of cheating, even making personal remarks about the upbringing of Indian players.
The exchange became more heated after Pathan struck Muttiah Muralitharan for two sixes. Sangakkara reportedly became frustrated, but Pathan decided to respond rather than ignore the comments.
“There was a Test match in Delhi. I opened and made 93. After the first innings, when we went to bowl, the box of balls had changed, or something like that happened, and the Sri Lankan players were not happy. Sangakkara was the most vocal of all. Then, when I went to bat, I had zero idea what had happened; I was asked to open. I hit Muralitharan for two sixes,” Pathan said on JioHotstar's ‘Cheeky Singles’ programme.
Pathan said Sangakkara then accused the Indian players of cheating and made personal remarks about their families.
“If he is getting hit for sixes with the new ball, it means you have derailed the opposition's planning a bit. Suddenly, Sangakkara started saying, ‘You guys cheat, your parents teach you all this and blah blah.’ He went personal, and I also answered back. He started it,” Pathan recalled.
HOW PATHAN AND SANGAKKARA PATCHED THINGS UP
The disagreement did not permanently affect their relationship. Several years later, Pathan and Sangakkara became teammates at Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
Pathan admitted that he initially felt awkward after discovering that he would be sharing a team with Sangakkara. However, the two eventually addressed the incident and apologised to each other.
“After the auction, I saw I would be playing with Sangakkara at Punjab. Now I was eating with his family, and I did not know what to do. I went and told him sorry. He also apologised, and then we became good friends. Emotions are high, and you always make mistakes. It matters how maturely you handle things,” Pathan said.
Sangakkara remains closely involved with the IPL and currently serves as the head coach of Rajasthan Royals.
