by Cricket has given us many exciting rivalries, but few are as fascinating as the story between India and Sri Lanka.
The India national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team timeline began in 1979 and has continued to create magical moments that cricket fans remember forever.
This rivalry is special because it shows how cricket can bring countries together through friendly competition.
What started as a simple cricket match between neighbors has grown into one of Asia’s most watched sporting contests.
Sri Lanka entered international cricket as underdogs, but they quickly proved they could compete with established teams like India. Their journey from being unknown players to world champions is truly inspiring.
This timeline covers over four decades of cricket history. We have seen amazing individual performances, team victories that shocked the world, and matches that went down to the final ball.
Both countries have produced cricket legends who became household names across the world.
The rivalry includes all formats of cricket – the traditional five-day Test matches, the exciting 50-over One Day Internationals, and the fast-paced Twenty20 games.
India National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline
Each format has its own heroes and memorable moments. From Sri Lanka’s first shocking victory to India’s World Cup triumph, this timeline tells a complete cricket story that every fan should know.
Overview of Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
The cricket story between these two nations started during the 1979 World Cup in England. Sri Lanka was not even a full member of international cricket at that time. They were called an Associate member, which meant they were still learning to play at the highest level.
The first meeting happened at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 16, 1979. Most cricket experts expected India to win easily because they were already established in world cricket. Sri Lanka had very little experience playing against strong teams like India.
But cricket can be unpredictable, and that day Sri Lanka created history. They bowled out India for only 191 runs, which was not a very big total. Then Sri Lanka’s batsmen made the chase look very easy. Sidath Wettimuny scored 67 runs without getting out, and Roy Dias helped with 50 runs. Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets with many overs still remaining.
This victory was huge for Sri Lankan cricket. It helped convince the cricket world that Sri Lanka deserved to become a full Test-playing nation. Just two years later, in 1981, Sri Lanka got Test status and could play the longest format of cricket.
Their first Test match against India came in 1985 in Colombo. Again, Sri Lanka surprised everyone by winning their very first Test match against India. Duleep Mendis became a national hero by scoring centuries in both innings of the match. This win proved that Sri Lanka belonged with the big teams in world cricket.
Since then, these teams have met in World Cup finals, played bilateral series in both countries, and faced each other in various ICC tournaments. The rivalry has grown stronger with each passing year, giving fans incredible entertainment.
Head to Head Rivalry of Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
When we look at how these teams have performed in major ICC tournaments, the results show an interesting pattern. Here is their complete record in important competitions:
| Tournament | Matches Played | India Won | Sri Lanka Won | Draw/Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| T20 World Cup | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Champions Trophy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| World Test Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 15 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
These numbers tell us some surprising facts. Sri Lanka has won more ICC tournament matches than India. This is amazing when we remember that Sri Lanka started as an underdog. The T20 World Cup record is particularly impressive for Sri Lanka – they have never lost to India in this format during World Cup matches.
The ODI World Cup encounters have been very close, with India winning just one more match than Sri Lanka. Both teams have also shared trophies due to rain or other circumstances, showing how evenly matched they can be in big tournaments.
India vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Test Match
Test cricket is considered the purest form of the game, and here India has shown clear dominance over the years. These matches can last up to five days and test every aspect of a player’s skill.
| Total Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 22 | 7 | 17 |
India has won almost three times more Test matches than Sri Lanka. This shows India’s strength in the longer format of cricket. Many matches have ended in draws, which often happens in Test cricket when teams cannot finish the match in five days due to weather or defensive play.
India performs much better when playing at home in familiar conditions. Sri Lankan pitches can be tricky with their turning tracks, but Indian batsmen and bowlers have generally adapted well. When Sri Lanka does win Test matches against India, these victories are often remembered as major upsets that bring great joy to their fans.
India vs Sri Lanka Head to Head ODI Match
One Day International cricket has produced the most exciting contests between these teams. With each team getting 50 overs to bat, these matches often come down to nail-biting finishes.
| Total Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Ties/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 171 | 99 | 59 | 13 |
India has won nearly 60% of all ODI matches between these teams. However, Sri Lanka’s 59 victories include some of the most memorable wins in cricket history. The 13 matches that had no result or ended in ties show how close many of these contests have been.
What makes ODI cricket special between these teams is the unpredictability. Even when India seems to be cruising to victory, Sri Lanka can produce match-winning performances that shock everyone. Similarly, Indian players have chased down impossible targets against Sri Lankan bowling.
India vs Sri Lanka Head to Head T20 Match
Twenty20 cricket is the newest format, and both teams have embraced this exciting style of play. With only 20 overs per side, these matches are full of big hits and dramatic moments.
| Total Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 22 | 9 | 1 |
India dominates T20 cricket against Sri Lanka with nearly 70% of victories. The shorter format seems to suit India’s aggressive batting style and varied bowling attack. Most T20 matches between these teams are high-scoring affairs with plenty of entertainment for fans.
Despite having fewer wins overall, Sri Lanka has managed to beat India in crucial T20 World Cup matches. These tournament victories are often more memorable than bilateral series wins because they happen on the biggest stage in world cricket.
Important Matches of Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
Several matches between these teams have become legendary in cricket history. These games are remembered not just by fans of both countries but by cricket lovers around the world.
The 1996 Cricket World Cup was a turning point for Sri Lankan cricket. They beat India in a crucial match during this tournament and went on to become world champions for the first time. This victory changed how the cricket world viewed Sri Lankan players and gave them the confidence to compete with anyone.
The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final was held in Sri Lanka, but rain affected the match. Both teams had to share the trophy, which was the first time Sri Lanka won a major ICC tournament. This shared victory was symbolic of how close these teams had become in terms of skill level.
The most famous match in this rivalry happened during the 2011 ODI World Cup final in Mumbai. India was playing at home and chased down Sri Lanka’s total of 274 runs. MS Dhoni hit the winning six that gave India their second World Cup title. Mahela Jayawardene scored a brilliant century for Sri Lanka, but it was not enough to stop India’s victory march.
Sri Lanka got their revenge in the 2014 T20 World Cup final in Bangladesh. They beat India to win their first T20 World Cup title. Kumar Sangakkara played a perfect innings to guide Sri Lanka home. This victory was extra special because it came in the final international match for legendary players like Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
Key Players and Memorable Performances
Indian Cricket Legends
Sachin Tendulkar was probably the most successful Indian batsman against Sri Lanka. He scored 1,995 Test runs against them with an incredible average of over 60. His eight Test centuries against Sri Lankan bowling showed his complete mastery. Sri Lankan bowlers tried every trick in the book, but Tendulkar always seemed to find a way to score runs.
MS Dhoni became famous for his ability to stay calm under pressure against Sri Lankan bowling. His leadership during the 2011 World Cup final victory will always be remembered. Dhoni averaged over 65 against Sri Lanka in ODI cricket, which shows how comfortable he was facing their bowlers. His timing and ability to hit boundaries when needed made him a nightmare for Sri Lankan captains.
Anil Kumble was Sri Lanka’s biggest headache when playing Test cricket in India. He took 74 Test wickets against them and created history by taking all ten wickets in a single innings in Delhi. His accurate spin bowling and clever use of flight and pace made even the best Sri Lankan batsmen look ordinary on turning pitches.
Sri Lanka Cricket Legends
Kumar Sangakkara was elegance personified when batting against India. He scored 2,973 ODI runs against Indian bowling, which shows his consistency over many years. His left-handed batting style was beautiful to watch, and he always seemed to save his best performances for matches against India. He led Sri Lanka to their 2014 T20 World Cup victory with a mature and composed innings.
Muttiah Muralitharan had a bowling action that was completely unique in world cricket. He took exactly 74 wickets against India in both Test and ODI cricket. His ability to spin the ball in ways that seemed to defy physics made him one of the greatest bowlers ever. Indian batsmen never felt completely comfortable facing him, especially on Sri Lankan pitches that helped spin bowling.
Lasith Malinga revolutionized fast bowling with his unusual slinging action. His deadly accurate yorkers at the end of innings made him incredibly difficult to face. He was famous for taking hat-tricks against India and always seemed to produce his best bowling when these teams met. His unique style made him almost impossible to score against in crucial overs.
India vs Sri Lanka Latest Matches 2024
The 2024 series between these teams reminded everyone why this rivalry remains so special after more than four decades. The matches had everything that makes cricket exciting.
| Match | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20 1 | 27 July | Pallekele Stadium | India won by 43 runs |
| T20 2 | 28 July | Pallekele Stadium | India won by 7 wickets |
| T20 3 | 30 July | Pallekele Stadium | India won |
| ODI 1 | 2 August | R. Premadasa Stadium | Match tied |
| ODI 2 | 4 August | R. Premadasa Stadium | Sri Lanka won by 32 runs |
| ODI 3 | 7 August | R. Premadasa Stadium | Sri Lanka won by 110 runs |
The highlight of the 2024 series was the first ODI that ended in a tie. This was only the second tie in 171 ODI meetings between these teams. Pathum Nissanka scored a magnificent 137 runs in this match, showing that Sri Lankan cricket has a bright future with young talented players.
Sri Lanka then won the ODI series 2-0, which was their first series victory in India since 1993. This 27-year gap shows how difficult it has been for Sri Lanka to win in Indian conditions. Charith Asalanka played a match-winning century that reminded fans of Sri Lanka’s golden generation of batsmen.
Summary
The india national cricket team vs sri lanka national cricket team timeline represents one of cricket’s most enduring and entertaining rivalries. Starting from that shocking 1979 World Cup upset, this rivalry has provided cricket fans with 45 years of incredible entertainment.
The numbers show India’s overall dominance with 141 wins from 249 matches across all formats. However, Sri Lanka’s 77 victories include some of the most memorable moments in cricket history. These wins often came when they were least expected, which makes them even more special.
Both countries have produced legendary cricketers who have entertained millions of fans worldwide. From Sachin Tendulkar’s batting genius to Muttiah Muralitharan’s spin wizardry, this rivalry has showcased cricket at its finest level.
The 2024 series proved that this rivalry still has the power to surprise and delight cricket fans. Young players from both countries are now writing new chapters in this historic timeline.
FAQs
- How many times has India beaten Sri Lanka in T20 cricket?
India has defeated Sri Lanka 22 times in 32 T20 International matches. Despite this dominance in bilateral series, Sri Lanka has won both T20 World Cup encounters between the teams.
- Where can I watch India vs Sri Lanka matches for free?
You can watch matches on Sony Liv platform and other official broadcasting partners in your region.
- When did Sri Lanka last win an ODI series in India?
Sri Lanka’s most recent ODI series victory in India came in August 2024, breaking a 27-year drought since their previous series win in 1993.
- Who has scored the most runs in this rivalry?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the Test record with 1,995 runs against Sri Lanka, while Kumar Sangakkara scored 2,973 ODI runs against India.
- What was the most important match between these teams?
The 2011 ODI World Cup final in Mumbai stands out as the most significant encounter, where India achieved their second World Cup victory by defeating Sri Lanka on home soil.
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Conclusion:
The cricket relationship between India and Sri Lanka continues to fascinate fans around the world.
This rivalry has everything that makes sport beautiful – unexpected victories, heartbreaking defeats, individual brilliance, and mutual respect between competitors.
Both nations have grown stronger through this rivalry. It has pushed players to reach new heights, created unforgettable memories for fans, and demonstrated cricket’s power to unite people through shared passion.
The 2024 series showed that even after 45 years, this rivalry can still produce surprises and magical moments.
As fresh talent emerges from both countries, this timeline will continue expanding with new chapters. The future promises more exciting contests between these cricket-loving nations.
Whether you support India or Sri Lanka, one truth remains constant – when these teams clash, cricket fans everywhere are guaranteed outstanding entertainment and sporting excellence at its finest level.
