Introduction
The rivalry between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline is filled with historic matches, legendary performances, and unforgettable moments. Over the years, both teams have clashed in multiple formats, from Test matches to ODIs and T20s, creating a legacy of intense cricketing battles. This article provides a detailed timeline of the India vs Sri Lanka cricket rivalry, complete with key statistics, match records, and FAQs.
Historical Timeline of India vs Sri Lanka Cricket Matches
1. Early Encounters (1979 – 1990)
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Key Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 July 1979 | ODI | Manchester | No Result | – |
| 17 February 1982 | Test | Chennai | Draw | Duleep Mendis (SL) |
| 1 September 1985 | ODI | Sharjah | India | Kapil Dev |
- Sri Lanka gained Test status in 1982 and played its first Test match against India.
- The 1985 Asia Cup final saw India dominate Sri Lanka.
2. Rise of Sri Lanka (1991 – 2000)
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Key Player |
| 18 August 1993 | Test | Colombo | Sri Lanka | Aravinda de Silva |
| 30 October 1996 | ODI (World Cup Semi-Final) | Kolkata | Sri Lanka | Aravinda de Silva |
| 1997 | Test | Colombo | Draw | Sanath Jayasuriya (340 Runs) |
- Sri Lanka won the 1996 Cricket World Cup, defeating India in the semi-finals.
- Jayasuriya scored a triple century against India in 1997.
3. The 2000s: Competitive Cricket (2001 – 2010)
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Key Player |
| 2002 | Champions Trophy Final | Colombo | Shared Trophy | No Result |
| 2005 | ODI Series | India | India | MS Dhoni |
| 2008 | Asia Cup Final | Karachi | Sri Lanka | Ajantha Mendis (6/13) |
- Sri Lanka and India shared the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy due to rain.
- Ajantha Mendis’ spell in 2008 Asia Cup final shocked India.
4. Dominance of India (2011 – 2020)
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Key Player |
| 2011 | ODI World Cup Final | Mumbai | India | MS Dhoni |
| 2014 | T20 World Cup Final | Dhaka | Sri Lanka | Kumar Sangakkara |
| 2017 | Test | Colombo | India | Virat Kohli |
- India defeated Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final.
- Sri Lanka won their first T20 World Cup in 2014 by beating India.
- Virat Kohli dominated Sri Lanka in Test cricket with back-to-back centuries in 2017.
5. Modern-Day Rivalry (2021 – Present)
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Key Player |
| 2021 | T20I Series | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | Wanindu Hasaranga |
| 2023 | Asia Cup Final | Colombo | India | Mohammed Siraj (6 wickets) |
| 2024 | ODI Series | India | India | Shubman Gill |
- Sri Lanka won the 2021 T20I series at home.
- Mohammed Siraj’s six-wicket haul in the 2023 Asia Cup final crushed Sri Lanka.
- India dominated the 2024 ODI series with strong batting performances.
Head-to-Head Record
Overall Stats
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draw/NR |
| Test Matches | 50 | 22 | 7 | 21 |
| One Day Internationals | 170 | 98 | 57 | 15 |
| T20 Internationals | 30 | 19 | 10 | 1 |
- India has a dominant record in ODIs and Tests.
- Sri Lanka has occasionally stunned India in big tournaments.
Major Tournaments Where India & Sri Lanka Faced Off
- 1996 Cricket World Cup Semi-Final – Sri Lanka won.
- 2011 Cricket World Cup Final – India won.
- 2014 T20 World Cup Final – Sri Lanka won.
- 2017 Champions Trophy Group Stage – Sri Lanka won.
- 2023 Asia Cup Final – India won.
Key Players in the Rivalry
- India: Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Siraj.
- Sri Lanka: Aravinda de Silva, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Wanindu Hasaranga.
FAQs
1. What is the biggest victory margin between Sri Lanka and India?
India’s biggest victory came in the 2023 Asia Cup Final, winning by 10 wickets after bowling Sri Lanka out for just 50 runs.
2. How many times have India and Sri Lanka faced each other in World Cup Finals?
India and Sri Lanka have faced off twice in World Cup Finals – 2011 (India won) and 2014 T20 World Cup (Sri Lanka won).
3. Who has scored the most runs in India vs Sri Lanka matches?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in India vs Sri Lanka encounters.
4. Who has taken the most wickets in India vs Sri Lanka matches?
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in matches between India and Sri Lanka.
5. What was the highest team total in an India vs Sri Lanka match?
India’s highest total against Sri Lanka in ODIs is 414/7 in 2009.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline showcases a thrilling cricketing rivalry that has evolved over decades. With both teams boasting world-class players and intense matches, this rivalry will continue to shape cricket’s future. Whether it’s World Cups, Asia Cups, or bilateral series, India vs Sri Lanka matches remain an exciting spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.
