by Cricket fans around the world love watching exciting matches between strong teams.
The India national cricket team vs Sri Lanka national cricket team timeline shows us one of cricket’s most interesting stories.
This rivalry started way back in 1979 and has given us some of the most thrilling moments in cricket history.
What makes this rivalry special? Unlike other cricket matches that might have political pressure, India vs Sri Lanka games are all about pure cricket skill.
These two neighboring countries have created a friendly but competitive relationship on the cricket field.
From Sri Lanka’s shocking first win as underdogs to their recent 2024 series victory, this timeline is full of surprising moments and amazing performances.
Both teams have produced legendary players who have entertained millions of fans. Whether it’s India’s batting power or Sri Lanka’s clever bowling tricks, these matches always promise excitement.
The timeline covers different formats – Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) games. Each format has its special moments and heroes.
Today, we’ll take you through this amazing journey, showing you how this rivalry grew from a simple match to one of cricket’s most entertaining contests.
India National Cricket Team Vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline
Get ready to learn about incredible performances, shocking upsets, and the players who made this rivalry legendary.
Overview of Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
The cricket relationship between India and Sri Lanka began on June 16, 1979, during the ICC Cricket World Cup. Back then, Sri Lanka wasn’t even a full member of international cricket – they were just an Associate nation trying to prove themselves.
Here’s what happened in that historic first meeting:
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
- Format: One Day International (ODI)
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets
- What made it special: Nobody expected Sri Lanka to beat India so easily
This victory was huge for Sri Lankan cricket. It helped them get Test status much faster than expected. Just two years later, in 1981, Sri Lanka became a full Test-playing nation.
The first Test match between these teams happened in 1985 in Colombo. Sri Lanka made history by winning their very first Test match against India. This win proved that Sri Lanka belonged with the big teams in international cricket.
Since then, these teams have played each other in:
- World Cup finals (both ODI and T20)
- Bilateral series in both countries
- ICC tournaments like the Champions Trophy
- Asia Cup matches
The rivalry has seen both teams go through different phases – sometimes India dominates, sometimes Sri Lanka surprises everyone with brilliant performances.
Head to Head Rivalry of SL National Cricket Team vs Ind National Cricket Team Timeline
Let’s look at how these teams have performed against each other in major tournaments. This table shows their overall record in ICC events:
| 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 |
Interesting Facts:
- Sri Lanka has never lost to India in T20 World Cup matches
- The ODI World Cup record is very close between both teams
- Both teams have won one major ICC final each against the other
India vs Sri Lanka Head to Head Test Match
Test cricket is the longest format, and here India has a clear advantage. These matches can last up to 5 days, testing players’ patience and skill.
| Total Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 22 | 7 | 17 |
Key Points:
- India wins almost three times more Test matches than Sri Lanka
- Many matches end in draws due to weather or time running out
- India performs much better in home conditions
- Sri Lanka’s Test wins are often memorable upsets
India vs Sri Lanka Head to Head ODI Match
ODI cricket is more exciting with 50 overs per team. This format has produced some of the most thrilling contests between these teams.
| Total Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Ties/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 171 | 99 | 59 | 13 |
Notable Statistics:
- India has won almost 60% of all ODI matches
- Sri Lanka’s win rate is around 35%
- Only 2 matches have ended in ties (very rare in cricket!)
- The 2024 series included one of those rare tied matches
India vs Sri Lanka Head to Head T20 Match
T20 cricket is the shortest and most exciting format with only 20 overs per team. These matches are fast-paced and full of big hits.
| Total Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 22 | 9 | 1 |
T20 Highlights:
- India dominates with a nearly 70% win rate
- Sri Lanka struggles more in this format
- Despite fewer wins, Sri Lanka has beaten India in crucial T20 World Cup matches
- Most T20 games are high-scoring and entertaining
Important Matches of Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
Some matches between these teams have become legendary in cricket history. Here are the most important ones:
Cricket World Cup 1996 – Sri Lanka’s Breakthrough
- Sri Lanka beat India in a crucial match
- This win helped Sri Lanka become World Champions for the first time
- Changed how the cricket world viewed Sri Lankan cricket
ICC Champions Trophy 2002 – Shared Glory
- The final was held in Sri Lanka
- Rain affected the match, so both teams shared the trophy
- First time Sri Lanka won a major ICC tournament alongside India
ICC World Cup 2011 Final – India’s Home Victory
- Most famous match in this rivalry
- Played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- India chased 275 runs to win their second World Cup
- MS Dhoni hit the winning six – one of cricket’s most iconic moments
- Mahela Jayawardene scored a brilliant century for Sri Lanka
2014 T20 World Cup Final – Sri Lanka’s Sweet Revenge
- Sri Lanka finally beat India in a major final
- Won their first T20 World Cup title
- Kumar Sangakkara played a match-winning innings
- Perfect farewell for Sri Lankan legends
Key Players and Memorable Performances
Indian Cricket Legends
- Sachin Tendulkar – The Master Sachin Tendulkar was a nightmare for Sri Lankan bowlers throughout his career. He scored 1,995 Test runs against Sri Lanka with an average of over 60. His 8 Test centuries against them showed his complete dominance. Sri Lankan bowlers tried everything but could rarely dismiss him cheaply. His batting style and technique made him nearly impossible to bowl out.
- MS Dhoni – The Finisher MS Dhoni became famous for staying calm under pressure against Sri Lankan bowling. He led India to their memorable 2011 World Cup victory with an unbeaten 91 runs. His average of over 65 against Sri Lanka in ODIs shows how comfortable he was against their bowlers. Dhoni had a special ability to hit crucial boundaries when India needed them most.
- Anil Kumble – The Spin King Anil Kumble was Sri Lanka’s biggest worry when playing in India. He took 74 Test wickets against them and created history by taking all 10 wickets in one innings in Delhi. His accurate spin bowling and clever variations made life difficult for even the best Sri Lankan batsmen. He understood how to bowl on Indian pitches better than anyone.
Sri Lanka Cricket Legends
- Kumar Sangakkara – The Elegant Left-Hander Kumar Sangakkara was one of the most stylish batsmen to play against India. He scored 2,973 ODI runs against them, showing his consistency over many years. His left-handed batting was poetry in motion, and he always seemed to play his best cricket against strong Indian bowling attacks. He led Sri Lanka to their 2014 T20 World Cup victory with a perfect innings.
- Muttiah Muralitharan – The Spin Wizard Muttiah Muralitharan was unique with his mysterious bowling action that confused Indian batsmen for years. He took exactly 74 wickets in both Tests and ODIs against India. His ability to spin the ball in ways that seemed impossible made him one of cricket’s greatest bowlers. Indian batsmen never felt comfortable facing him, especially on turning Sri Lankan pitches.
- Lasith Malinga – The Yorker Specialist Lasith Malinga had a bowling action unlike anyone else in cricket. His slinging style and deadly accurate yorkers troubled even India’s best batsmen. He was famous for taking hat-tricks against India and always seemed to bowl his best when the teams met. His unique style made him almost impossible to face in death overs.
India vs Sri Lanka Latest Matches 2024
The 2024 series was incredible and reminded everyone why this rivalry is so special. Here’s what happened:
| 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 |
What Made 2024 Special:
- The first ODI ended in a rare tie – only the second in 171 ODI meetings
- Sri Lanka won their first ODI series in India since 1993
- Pathum Nissanka scored a brilliant 137 in the tied match
- Charith Asalanka hit a match-winning century
- This series proved Sri Lanka’s young team is ready to compete
The 2024 series was important because it showed that Sri Lanka could still surprise India even when they were not expected to win. Young players like Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka played with confidence and skill that reminded fans of Sri Lanka’s golden era.
Summary
The india national cricket team vs sri lanka national cricket team timeline shows us an amazing cricket story. Starting from Sri Lanka’s shocking 1979 upset to their recent 2024 series victory, this rivalry has given us countless memorable moments.
Key Numbers:
- 249 total matches played across all formats
- India has won 141 matches overall
- Sri Lanka has won 77 matches
- The rivalry spans over 45 years of cricket
India generally dominates, especially in Test matches, but Sri Lanka has shown they can compete and win when it matters most. The 2024 series proved that this rivalry is far from one-sided and continues to produce exciting cricket.
Both teams have produced legendary players who have entertained millions of fans worldwide. From Sachin’s batting masterclass to Muralitharan’s spin wizardry, this rivalry has showcased the very best of cricket talent.
The rivalry continues to evolve with new young players from both countries showing great promise. The future looks bright for both teams, and cricket fans can expect many more exciting contests.
FAQs:
- How many times has India beaten Sri Lanka in T20 cricket?
India has beaten Sri Lanka in 22 out of 32 T20 matches. However, Sri Lanka has won both T20 World Cup encounters between these teams.
- Where can I watch India vs Sri Lanka matches for free?
You can watch their matches on Sony Liv and other official broadcasters in your country.
- When did Sri Lanka last win an ODI series in India?
Sri Lanka won their most recent ODI series in India in August 2024, ending a 27-year wait since their last series victory in 1993.
- Who has scored the most runs in this rivalry?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 1,995 Test 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 is considered the most important, where India won their second World Cup by beating Sri Lanka.
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Conclusion:
The cricket journey between India and Sri Lanka is truly remarkable.
This rivalry has everything – unexpected victories, heartbreaking defeats, individual brilliance, and team spirit. What makes it special is the pure focus on cricket without any external distractions.
Both countries have benefited from this rivalry. It has pushed players to perform better, created unforgettable moments for fans, and showcased the beauty of cricket.
The 2024 series showed that even after 45 years, this rivalry can still surprise us.
As new young players emerge from both countries, we can expect this timeline to continue growing with more exciting chapters.
The future looks bright for both teams, and cricket fans around the world can look forward to many more thrilling contests between these two passionate cricket nations.
Whether you support India or Sri Lanka, one thing is certain – whenever these teams meet, cricket is the real winner.
