Introduction: Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
Cricket has always been more than just a sport in the Indian subcontinent. When two giants like India and Sri Lanka face off, it’s always an exciting contest. Over the years, this rivalry has produced some unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and thrilling matches that fans still talk about.
In this article, we will look at the timeline of matches between Sri Lanka and India, how the rivalry started, key highlights, player performances, and some interesting facts about this famous cricket face-off.
Table of Contents
History of India vs Sri Lanka Cricket Rivalry
The Beginning
The cricket journey between India and Sri Lanka started in 1979, when Sri Lanka was still an associate nation. India played their first official ODI against Sri Lanka during the 1979 Cricket World Cup in England. At that time, few could have imagined that Sri Lanka would grow into one of the most respected cricket teams in the world.
Sri Lanka gained Test status in 1982, and since then, the competition with India started growing stronger.
Growth of the Rivalry
During the 1990s and 2000s, the matches between these two teams became more regular and competitive. Sri Lanka’s golden generation, with players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Aravinda de Silva, and Mahela Jayawardene, helped the team become a strong cricketing force.
India also saw the rise of greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and Anil Kumble, which made the rivalry even more exciting.
Timeline: India vs Sri Lanka Matches
Here’s a timeline table showing key series and matches between India and Sri Lanka across all formats (Test, ODI, T20I):
| Year | Format | Series/Tournament | Notable Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | ODI | World Cup | First ODI match, SL won by 47 runs |
| 1982 | Test | India tour of SL | First Test series after SL got Test status |
| 1996 | ODI | World Cup | SL beat India in semi-final, went on to win World Cup |
| 1997 | Test | India vs SL in Colombo | Highest ever team total in Test history – 952/6 by SL |
| 2001 | Test | SL vs India | SL won Test series 2-1 at home |
| 2002 | ODI | Champions Trophy Final | Match tied, both declared winners |
| 2005 | ODI | India tour of SL | India won 6-match ODI series 6-1 |
| 2009 | T20I | First T20I between teams | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2010 | Test | India vs SL in SL | Last Test series for Muralitharan |
| 2011 | ODI | World Cup Final | India beat SL in Mumbai to win the World Cup |
| 2012 | ODI | Tri-series with SL, Pak | Kohli scored 183 vs Pak, SL reached final |
| 2014 | T20I | World T20 Final | Sri Lanka beat India to win their first T20 World Cup |
| 2017 | All Formats | India tour of SL | India won all 9 matches (3 Tests, 5 ODIs, 1 T20I) |
| 2021 | ODI/T20I | India tour of SL | Young Indian team led by Dhawan, SL won T20I series |
| 2023 | ODI | Asia Cup Final | India bowled SL out for 50, won by 10 wickets |
Key Highlights of the Rivalry
World Cup Clashes
- 1996 World Cup Semi-Final: One of the most famous matches. Played in Kolkata, the crowd disturbance led to India losing by default. Sri Lanka then won the final.
- 2011 World Cup Final: India defeated Sri Lanka in Mumbai. MS Dhoni hit the winning six and took India to their second World Cup title.
- 2019 World Cup: India defeated Sri Lanka comfortably, with Rohit Sharma scoring a century.
Record-Breaking Performances
- Sri Lanka’s 952/6 in 1997 remains the highest team total in Test cricket. It was against India in Colombo.
- Virat Kohli’s 183 in 2012 was one of the finest ODI innings, helping India chase 320+ vs Pakistan, with Sri Lanka in the same series.
Complete Dominance (2017)
In 2017, India toured Sri Lanka and made a clean sweep. They won:
- 3-0 in Tests
- 5-0 in ODIs
- 1-0 in T20Is
This was one of the rare times a visiting team dominated so completely across all formats.
Top Players in the Rivalry
Indian Stars
- Sachin Tendulkar: Scored over 3000 runs against SL in ODIs.
- Virat Kohli: Loves playing against Sri Lanka; has multiple centuries.
- MS Dhoni: Known for his calm captaincy and match-winning knocks.
- Rohit Sharma: Holds the record for highest individual ODI score (264) — made against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Legends
- Sanath Jayasuriya: A fearsome opener, changed the way ODIs were played.
- Muttiah Muralitharan: Most wickets in international cricket, loved bowling against India.
- Kumar Sangakkara: Elegant left-hander, always dependable against India.
- Lasith Malinga: Known for his deadly yorkers and hat-tricks.
Head-to-Head Stats (as of April 2025)
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draw/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 46 | 22 | 7 | 17 |
| ODIs | 166 | 98 | 57 | 11 |
| T20Is | 30 | 20 | 9 | 1 |
Note: Numbers may change with future series.
Importance of the Rivalry
The India-Sri Lanka rivalry is not based on political tension or hate, but rather mutual respect and love for cricket. Both teams have shared players, coaching staff, and even celebrated each other’s success.
Sri Lanka has often been a breeding ground for future Indian stars. Players like Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan found form there. At the same time, Indian cricket fans have deep admiration for Sri Lankan legends.
Fun and Lesser-Known Facts
- Sri Lanka’s first-ever ODI win was against India in the 1979 World Cup.
- India has played more matches against Sri Lanka than any other nation.
- Lasith Malinga has taken 4 wickets in 4 balls twice, one of them against India.
- MS Dhoni has the most stumpings in international cricket, many against SL.
- Both teams have won a World Cup on home soil — India in 2011, Sri Lanka in 1996.
Future of the Rivalry
The next generation is ready. India has stars like Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Arshdeep Singh, while Sri Lanka is building with Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, and Maheesh Theekshana.
With the rise of T20 leagues, more Indian and Sri Lankan players are sharing dressing rooms. This brings friendly competition and exciting cricket.
As long as cricket lives in the hearts of fans in these two nations, this rivalry will continue to thrive.
Conclusion
The cricket battles between India and Sri Lanka are filled with passion, skill, and unforgettable memories. Whether it’s a World Cup final or a bilateral series, fans always expect quality cricket.
Even though India has dominated more in recent years, Sri Lanka has a proud legacy, and the balance can shift anytime. The beauty of this rivalry lies in its rich history, emotional connection, and the joy it brings to millions of cricket lovers.