Introduction: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
The cricket rivalry between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and the India National Cricket Team is one of the most exciting matchups in the world of cricket. Both teams have a rich history, passionate fans, and have produced some of the best players the game has ever seen. Over the years, they have played many memorable matches in different formats — Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) games.
This article will give you a complete timeline of their meetings, major moments, famous matches, and key players who made a difference.
Table of Contents
History of the Rivalry
Early Days (1979-1990)
Sri Lanka played their first international match against India in 1979 during the Cricket World Cup. At that time, India was a more experienced team, while Sri Lanka was still growing in the cricketing world. However, Sri Lanka started improving quickly, and their matches with India became more competitive.
Growing Competition (1990s)
In the 1990s, both teams became stronger. India had players like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, and Sourav Ganguly, while Sri Lanka had legends like Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Muttiah Muralitharan. The matches between them became more intense and exciting to watch.
Modern Era (2000s to Present)
In the 2000s and 2010s, both teams reached new levels. India won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup — with the final in 2011 being against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, too, made it to multiple World Cup finals and won the 2014 T20 World Cup. Their rivalry continued to grow, with thrilling games and tight contests.
Head-to-Head Record
Let’s look at their head-to-head stats in all formats of international cricket.
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | No Result / Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 46 | 22 | 7 | 17 |
| ODI | 166 | 97 | 57 | 12 |
| T20I | 30 | 20 | 9 | 1 |
| Total | 242 | 139 | 73 | 30 |
India has a better record in all formats, but Sri Lanka has had some great wins too.
Timeline of Key Matches (in Table Format)
Here is a timeline of some of the most important and unforgettable matches between India and Sri Lanka:
| Year | Format | Match Detail | Result | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ODI | 1979 World Cup | Sri Lanka won | Sri Lanka’s first big win in World Cup |
| 1996 | ODI | World Cup Semi-Final | Sri Lanka won | India collapsed at Eden Gardens |
| 2002 | ODI | Champions Trophy Final | Shared Trophy | Rain washed out both matches |
| 2009 | Test | 2nd Test in Colombo | India won | Sehwag scored 293 runs |
| 2011 | ODI | World Cup Final | India won | India lifted the World Cup at home |
| 2013 | ODI | Tri-Nation Series Final | India won | Dhoni finished the game with a six |
| 2014 | T20I | World T20 Final | Sri Lanka won | Sri Lanka won their first T20 World Cup |
| 2017 | ODI | India tour of Sri Lanka | India won 5-0 | Full series whitewash by India |
| 2021 | ODI/T20 | India tour of Sri Lanka | Series shared | Sri Lanka won T20 series 2-1 |
| 2023 | T20I | T20 Series in India | India won 2-1 | Suryakumar Yadav scored 112* |
Memorable Moments
1996 World Cup Semi-Final – Sri Lanka’s Big Upset
One of the most unforgettable matches happened in the 1996 World Cup semi-final. Sri Lanka defeated India in Kolkata. Indian fans were so shocked by the team’s collapse that they started throwing objects onto the field, and the match was awarded to Sri Lanka.
2011 World Cup Final – Dhoni’s Six Makes History
The 2011 ODI World Cup final was played in Mumbai, and India faced Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka posted a strong total, but Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni led the chase. Dhoni finished the match with a famous six, and India won their second World Cup title.
2014 T20 World Cup Final – Sri Lanka’s Redemption
In 2014, Sri Lanka faced India in the T20 World Cup final in Bangladesh. This time, Sri Lanka came out on top, winning the title and giving their legends like Sangakkara and Jayawardene a perfect farewell.
Key Players in the Rivalry
For India
- Sachin Tendulkar – One of the greatest batsmen, scored many runs against Sri Lanka.
- MS Dhoni – A calm and clever captain, known for his finishing skills.
- Virat Kohli – Has scored heavily in all formats against Sri Lanka.
- Rohit Sharma – Holds the record for the highest individual ODI score (264) against Sri Lanka.
For Sri Lanka
- Sanath Jayasuriya – Famous for his attacking batting at the top.
- Muttiah Muralitharan – Most wickets in international cricket, troubled many Indian batsmen.
- Kumar Sangakkara – Elegant left-hander, one of the best wicket-keepers and batsmen.
- Lasith Malinga – Known for his yorkers and match-winning performances.
Series Highlights
2017 India Tour of Sri Lanka
India dominated the entire tour, winning all formats (Test, ODI, and T20) without losing a single match. It was one of the most one-sided series in this rivalry.
2021 India’s Young Team in Sri Lanka
Due to COVID-19, India sent a young team to Sri Lanka in 2021. Despite missing many top players, they performed well. India won the ODI series, while Sri Lanka won the T20I series.
2023 T20 Series in India
In this exciting series, India won 2-1. Suryakumar Yadav stood out with an incredible century, proving his value in the shortest format.
Future of the Rivalry
The rivalry between Sri Lanka and India is expected to continue growing in the coming years. With many young talents emerging from both countries, fans can look forward to more thrilling matches.
India continues to develop top-class players like Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, and Ishan Kishan. Sri Lanka also has rising stars like Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, and Matheesha Pathirana.
Both countries have strong cricket cultures and loyal fan bases. Every match between them brings excitement, pride, and unforgettable memories.
Why This Rivalry is Special
- Cultural Connection: India and Sri Lanka share many cultural and historical ties, which adds a unique flavor to their cricket rivalry.
- Passionate Fans: Both sets of fans are deeply passionate and emotional about cricket.
- Friendly Yet Competitive: Unlike some cricket rivalries that are tense, India vs. Sri Lanka is known for being friendly yet competitive.
- Legends and Young Stars: The rivalry has seen legends perform and continues with new talent.
Final Thoughts
The cricket rivalry between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and the India National Cricket Team is filled with rich history, thrilling moments, and unforgettable players. From World Cup finals to tight T20 matches, the excitement never stops.