Introduction: India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline
India and Sri Lanka are two of the most popular cricketing nations in Asia. Over the years, their rivalry has produced many exciting matches, unforgettable moments, and historic performances. From World Cup games to Test series, these two teams have faced each other across all formats of the game.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the complete timeline of matches between the India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, their head-to-head records, famous matches, top players, and more.
Table of Contents
History of the India vs Sri Lanka Cricket Rivalry
The cricket rivalry between India and Sri Lanka started in 1979 when the two teams met for the first time in a One Day International (ODI). Since then, they have played against each other in Test matches, ODIs, and T20 Internationals (T20Is).
Although India has had more wins overall, Sri Lanka has given tough competition and has won many important matches, including a World Cup semi-final in 1996.
India vs Sri Lanka: Timeline of Matches (1979–2025)
Here is a detailed timeline of the major India vs Sri Lanka matches in different formats over the years:
Timeline of Key Matches
| Year | Format | Match/Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ODI | First-ever ODI between India & SL (World Cup) | Sri Lanka won |
| 1982 | Test | First Test match between India & Sri Lanka | Draw |
| 1985 | ODI | Rothmans Cup Final | India won |
| 1996 | ODI | World Cup Semi-Final | Sri Lanka won |
| 1997 | Test | Highest team total by SL (952/6) | Draw |
| 2002 | ODI | ICC Champions Trophy Final | Shared (Rain) |
| 2005 | ODI | India vs SL Series in India | India won 6-1 |
| 2008 | Test | India Tour of Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won 2-1 |
| 2011 | ODI | ICC World Cup Final | India won |
| 2012 | T20I | First T20I series between India & SL | India won |
| 2014 | T20I | ICC T20 World Cup Final | Sri Lanka won |
| 2017 | Test | India whitewashed SL 3-0 in Tests | India won |
| 2021 | ODI/T20I | India tour of SL with young squad | India won ODI series, SL won T20I series |
| 2023 | ODI | Asia Cup Final | India won |
| 2024 | Test | India vs SL in India | India won 2-0 |
| 2025 | T20I | T20I series in Sri Lanka (Upcoming) | To be played |
Head-to-Head Record (as of 2025)
Let’s take a closer look at how the two teams have performed against each other in different formats.
Test Matches
- Total Matches Played: 47
- India Wins: 22
- Sri Lanka Wins: 7
- Drawn: 18
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Total Matches Played: 167
- India Wins: 98
- Sri Lanka Wins: 57
- No Result/Tie: 12
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
- Total Matches Played: 31
- India Wins: 23
- Sri Lanka Wins: 8
Memorable Matches Between India and Sri Lanka
Over the years, several matches between India and Sri Lanka have become unforgettable for fans. Here are a few of the most iconic ones:
1996 World Cup Semi-Final
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Winner: Sri Lanka
- Highlight: India collapsed during the chase, and the match was awarded to Sri Lanka after crowd trouble.
2002 ICC Champions Trophy Final
- Venue: Colombo
- Result: Match abandoned due to rain, trophy shared
- Highlight: Both teams were declared joint winners.
2011 World Cup Final
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Winner: India
- Highlight: MS Dhoni’s winning six. India won their second World Cup title.
2014 T20 World Cup Final
- Venue: Dhaka
- Winner: Sri Lanka
- Highlight: Kumar Sangakkara’s calm innings in his last T20I helped Sri Lanka win their first T20 World Cup.
Famous Players in India vs Sri Lanka Matches
Many great players from both countries have made a strong impact in this rivalry. Here are some names that stand out:
🇮🇳 Top Indian Players
- Sachin Tendulkar – Most runs in India vs SL ODIs.
- Virat Kohli – Consistent performer in all formats.
- MS Dhoni – Excellent record as captain and finisher.
- Anil Kumble – Leading wicket-taker in Tests against SL.
🇱🇰 Top Sri Lankan Players
- Kumar Sangakkara – Stylish left-hander with big scores against India.
- Muttiah Muralitharan – One of the most successful bowlers in Tests and ODIs.
- Sanath Jayasuriya – Explosive opener and match-winner.
- Lasith Malinga – Deadly in T20Is and known for his yorkers.
India vs Sri Lanka in ICC Tournaments
India and Sri Lanka have met many times in ICC tournaments. Let’s look at how they have performed.
World Cup Matches (ODI)
- Total Matches: 9
- India Wins: 5
- Sri Lanka Wins: 4
T20 World Cup Matches
- Total Matches: 6
- India Wins: 4
- Sri Lanka Wins: 2
Recent Series Highlights (2023–2024)
Asia Cup 2023 Final
- Venue: Colombo
- India won: By 10 wickets
- Highlight: Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell of 6 wickets, SL was bowled out for 50.
Test Series 2024
- India won: 2-0
- Top Performers: Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja dominated with bat and ball.
Upcoming India vs Sri Lanka Matches (2025)
The rivalry continues in 2025 with more matches scheduled.
T20I Series in Sri Lanka
- Expected in July 2025
- 3-match series
- India is likely to send a mix of young and experienced players.
Fans are eagerly waiting for this series as it may feature new stars and more thrilling contests.
Why India vs Sri Lanka Matches Are So Popular
Here are some reasons why matches between India and Sri Lanka are exciting for fans:
Geographical closeness
Both countries are neighbors, which adds a friendly yet competitive spirit to their games.
Cultural connection
The teams have great respect for each other, and fans from both sides enjoy the sportsmanship.
High-quality cricket
From explosive batting to skilled spin bowling, these matches showcase all aspects of cricket.
Fun Facts About India vs Sri Lanka Cricket
- Sri Lanka once made 952/6 in a Test against India – the highest team total in Test history.
- Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 105 wickets against India in Tests.
- Virat Kohli has over 2,500 runs against Sri Lanka in ODIs.
- The two teams have played more than 160 ODIs, one of the most played ODI rivalries in cricket history.
Conclusion
The cricket rivalry between India and Sri Lanka is rich in history, emotion, and incredible moments. Whether it’s a thrilling T20 match or a classic Test series, games between these two teams always entertain cricket fans.
With many young talents emerging and experienced players still shining, the future of India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team matches looks very bright.