5 knocks by Kumar Sangakkara the undisputed Talisman of Sri Lankan cricket

2. 232 v South Africa, Colombo, 2004:

South Africa learnt how dangerous it is to drop Sangakkara the hard way. Jacques Kallis put down a regulation catch off Shaun Pollock when Sangakkara was on 57, and he made the most of the reprieve, scoring his sixth Test century, also his third double ton. Sangakkara made 232 of Sri Lanka’s 470 runs in the first innings, a knock that included 31 fours and a six. South Africa were then bowled out for just 189 and Sangakkara had some fun once again in the second essay, making a 58-ball 64 to set up an easy win. It was Sri Lanka’s first series victory over South Africa.