Introduction: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
The rivalry between the Sri Lanka national cricket team and the India national cricket team is one of the most exciting in the world of cricket. Over the years, these two teams have faced each other in many memorable matches, across all formats — Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20s.
Let’s take a friendly journey through their cricket history together, with an easy-to-read timeline and detailed breakdowns of key moments.
Table of Contents
History of the Rivalry
First Meeting
India and Sri Lanka played their first-ever official match in 1979 during the Cricket World Cup. Back then, Sri Lanka wasn’t a Test-playing nation yet, but they shocked India by winning that match.
Growing Competition
As Sri Lanka became a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1981, the number of matches between the two teams started growing. From friendly contests to fierce finals, this rivalry has everything.
Full Timeline: India vs Sri Lanka Matches
Here is a table showing the key years and events in their cricket rivalry:
| Year | Match/Event | Format | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | First ODI – World Cup | ODI | Manchester, England | Sri Lanka won |
| 1982 | First Test series | Test | India | India won 1–0 |
| 1996 | World Cup Semi-final | ODI | Kolkata, India | Sri Lanka won (match awarded due to crowd trouble) |
| 1997 | Jayasuriya’s triple century series | Test | India | Drawn 0–0 |
| 2005 | India clean sweeps SL 6–1 | ODI Series | India | India 6 – Sri Lanka 1 |
| 2007 | India vs SL in World Cup | ODI | Trinidad | Sri Lanka won |
| 2009 | India scores 414 in ODI | ODI | Rajkot, India | India won |
| 2010 | Muttiah Muralitharan retires | Test | Galle, Sri Lanka | Match drawn |
| 2011 | World Cup Final | ODI | Mumbai, India | India won (by 6 wickets) |
| 2013 | Tri-Series Final | ODI | West Indies | India won |
| 2014 | T20 World Cup Final | T20 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka won |
| 2017 | India whitewashes SL in all formats | All Formats | Sri Lanka | India won every match |
| 2021 | New faces in India squad, SL wins T20 series | T20 | Sri Lanka | SL won T20 series 2–1 |
| 2023 | Asia Cup Final | ODI | Colombo, Sri Lanka | India won (by 10 wickets) |
India vs Sri Lanka: Head-to-Head Record
Let’s take a closer look at how the teams have performed against each other over the years.
In Test Matches
- Total Matches: 46
- India Wins: 22
- Sri Lanka Wins: 7
- Draws: 17
India clearly has the upper hand in Tests, especially in recent years.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Total Matches: Over 160
- India Wins: Around 100+
- Sri Lanka Wins: Around 57
- No Results/Ties: A few
India has dominated the ODI format since the mid-2000s.
In T20 Internationals
- Total Matches: About 30
- India Wins: 19
- Sri Lanka Wins: 11
India has a slight edge in T20s, but Sri Lanka has pulled off some surprises too.
Memorable Matches Between India and Sri Lanka
Let’s look at some unforgettable matches that have left a mark on this rivalry.
1996 World Cup Semi-Final
- Location: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Event: Fans started rioting when India collapsed during the run chase. The match was awarded to Sri Lanka.
This was a turning point for Sri Lankan cricket as they later went on to win the World Cup.
2011 World Cup Final
- Location: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Highlight: Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and MS Dhoni’s winning six.
- Result: India won their second World Cup.
This match is considered one of the most iconic finals in cricket history.
2014 T20 World Cup Final
- Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Star: Kumar Sangakkara’s classy 52 not out
- Result: Sri Lanka won their first T20 World Cup.
This victory was extra special because legends Sangakkara and Jayawardene retired from T20s after this match.
Star Players from Both Teams
Indian Cricket Stars
- Sachin Tendulkar – Has scored many runs against SL and was a nightmare for their bowlers.
- MS Dhoni – His calm leadership and finishing skills helped India win crucial matches.
- Virat Kohli – One of the highest run-scorers against Sri Lanka in ODIs.
- Rohit Sharma – Known for scoring double centuries, including one against SL.
Sri Lankan Cricket Stars
- Sanath Jayasuriya – Aggressive opener who often troubled Indian bowlers.
- Muttiah Muralitharan – The highest wicket-taker in Test history, took many wickets against India.
- Kumar Sangakkara – Stylish batsman, scored over 2,000 runs against India in ODIs.
- Lasith Malinga – Fast bowler known for his deadly yorkers and hat-tricks.
Changing Eras of the Rivalry
1990s: A Balanced Fight
Both teams had strong lineups. Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996, and India had stars like Tendulkar and Ganguly.
2000s: India Takes the Lead
With the rise of players like Sehwag, Dhoni, and Yuvraj, India became a stronger team overall.
2010s: India Dominates
India started to dominate across all formats. Young stars like Kohli and Rohit consistently performed against Sri Lanka.
2020s: A Fresh Chapter
Sri Lanka is rebuilding its team, while India continues to rotate squads and give young talent a chance.
Off the Field: Friendship and Respect
While the rivalry is strong on the field, off the field, players from both teams share a great friendship. Cricketers often speak highly of each other in interviews and show mutual respect during series.
There’s also cultural closeness between the two countries, which makes the competition even more friendly and enjoyable.
Future of the Rivalry
With the rise of new players and more ICC tournaments, the India vs Sri Lanka rivalry is far from over. Fans from both sides always look forward to these matches, whether it’s a World Cup game or a simple bilateral series.
Expect more exciting games, brilliant performances, and unforgettable moments in the years to come.
Fun Facts About India vs Sri Lanka
- Most Runs in ODIs (vs SL): Virat Kohli
- Most Wickets (vs India): Muttiah Muralitharan
- Fastest Century in ODIs (vs India): Sanath Jayasuriya
- Most Watched Match: 2011 World Cup Final
- Youngest Player to Debut in this Rivalry: Rohit Sharma in 2007
Final Thoughts
The cricket rivalry between Sri Lanka and India is rich with history, emotions, and thrilling moments. Whether it’s an ICC final or a warm-up match, fans from both countries tune in with excitement and passion.
As the teams continue to grow and change, the magic of this rivalry lives on — connecting generations of fans who simply love the game.
