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 thrilling in international cricket. With a history spanning decades, the two teams have locked horns in all three formats—Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). From nail-biting thrillers to historic performances, this timeline showcases the fierce competition, unforgettable moments, and legendary players who shaped this cricketing saga.
This article will provide an in-depth timeline of matches, head-to-head records, and a comprehensive breakdown of performances between these two cricketing giants. All data is up to date as of 2025.
The cricketing relationship between India and Sri Lanka began in 1979, when Sri Lanka, still an Associate Member of the ICC, took on India in an ODI during the World Cup. From that modest start, their encounters have evolved into highly anticipated matches across all formats. The subcontinental neighbors share a deep cricketing culture, making each face-off a grand spectacle.
Table of Contents
Sri Lanka vs India – Head-to-Head Records
The head-to-head records between India and Sri Lanka across all formats show a dominant Indian performance, although Sri Lanka has had its golden moments too.
Test Matches Head-to-Head
| Category | India | Sri Lanka | Drawn | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 47 | 9 | 17 | 47 |
| Matches Won | 22 | 9 | 16 | 47 |
| First Test Match | 1982 | |||
| Last Test Match | 2022 | |||
| Win Percentage | 46.81% | 19.15% | 34.04% |
ODI Matches Head-to-Head
| Category | India | Sri Lanka | No Result | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 165 | 57 | 11 | 165 |
| Matches Won | 97 | 57 | 11 | 165 |
| First ODI Match | 1979 | |||
| Last ODI Match | 2023 | |||
| Win Percentage | 62.26% | 34.55% | 6.66% |
T20I Matches Head-to-Head
| Category | India | Sri Lanka | No Result | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 30 | 9 | 1 | 30 |
| Matches Won | 20 | 9 | 1 | 30 |
| First T20I Match | 2009 | |||
| Last T20I Match | 2024 | |||
| Win Percentage | 66.67% | 30.00% | 3.33% |
Sri Lanka vs India – Historical Timeline
Let’s explore a chronological journey of the most important matches and events between India and Sri Lanka, broken down by format.
Timeline of Major Test Encounters
| Year | Venue | Winner | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Chennai, India | India | First-ever Test between the two nations |
| 1997 | Colombo | Draw | Sri Lanka scored a record 952/6d |
| 2001 | Kandy | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won by an innings and 77 runs |
| 2010 | Galle | Sri Lanka | Muralitharan’s final Test; took his 800th wicket |
| 2015 | Colombo (SSC) | India | India won series after 22 years in SL |
| 2017 | Entire Series in SL | India (3-0) | India whitewashed SL in Tests |
| 2022 | Bengaluru | India | India won Pink Ball Test; swept series 2-0 |
Timeline of Major ODI Encounters
| Year | Venue | Winner | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Manchester (WC) | Sri Lanka | SL’s first win over India in World Cup |
| 1996 | Kolkata (WC Semi-Final) | Sri Lanka | India collapsed; match awarded to SL |
| 1998 | Sharjah | India | Sachin’s “Desert Storm” vs SL |
| 2002 | Colombo (Champions Trophy) | Shared Title | Final washed out twice |
| 2011 | Mumbai (World Cup Final) | India | India won World Cup after 28 years |
| 2013 | Port of Spain (Tri-Series Final) | India | Dhoni hit winning six in last over |
| 2023 | Colombo (Asia Cup Final) | India | India won by 10 wickets; Bumrah & Siraj decimated SL |
Timeline of Major T20I Encounters
| Year | Venue | Winner | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Nagpur | India | First T20I match between the two |
| 2014 | Mirpur (T20 WC Final) | Sri Lanka | SL won maiden T20 World Cup, beating India in final |
| 2017 | Colombo | India | India whitewashed SL 3-0 in series |
| 2021 | Colombo | Sri Lanka | SL won 2-1 amid COVID-affected Indian squad |
| 2023 | Mumbai | India | Hardik Pandya led India to series win |
| 2024 | Pune | India | Suryakumar Yadav scored a 45-ball century |
Iconic Moments in Sri Lanka vs India History
The history of Sri Lanka vs India is filled with jaw-dropping performances and unforgettable moments.
🏆 1996 World Cup Semi-Final
- Sri Lanka won after crowd trouble stopped play at Eden Gardens.
- India’s collapse from 98/1 to 120/8 shocked the fans.
🏆 2011 World Cup Final
- Held at Wankhede Stadium.
- Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91*) led India to glory.
- Yuvraj Singh was the Player of the Tournament.
🏅 Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800th Wicket (2010)
- Final Test vs India in Galle.
- Historic moment as Muralitharan reached 800 wickets before retirement.
💥 Virat Kohli’s Dominance
- Kohli has multiple centuries against SL in all formats.
- Averages over 60 in ODIs vs Sri Lanka.
Key Players from Both Sides
🇮🇳 Notable Indian Players
| Player | Specialty | Notable Feats vs SL |
|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | Batsman | Most runs in ODIs vs SL |
| MS Dhoni | Wicket-keeper/Batsman | Led India to 2011 WC win vs SL |
| Virat Kohli | Batsman | Highest centuries vs SL (ODIs) |
| Rohit Sharma | Batsman | Double century in ODIs vs SL |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler | Dominated Asia Cup 2023 Final |
🇱🇰 Notable Sri Lankan Players
| Player | Specialty | Notable Feats vs India |
|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Bowler | Most wickets in Tests vs India |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Batsman | Consistent high scores |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | All-rounder | Destroyed India in 1996 WC |
| Lasith Malinga | Bowler | Hat-trick in 2010 Asia Cup |
| Aravinda de Silva | Batsman | Starred in 1996 WC Final |
Conclusion
The timeline of matches between the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and the India National Cricket Team reflects a riveting rivalry, built on passion, skill, and national pride. While India holds a statistical edge, Sri Lanka has authored many unforgettable chapters in this rivalry. Whether it’s a high-stakes World Cup clash or a low-profile bilateral series, every match between the two carries the weight of history.
As both teams evolve with new talent and leadership, the India vs Sri Lanka rivalry promises even more electrifying contests in the future.
Also read – India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline and Head-to-Head Records
