sri lanka national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline
Introduction
Few cricket rivalries in Asia have been as rich, emotional, and enduring as the one between India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline tells a story that spans more than four decades — a tale of passion, pride, and unforgettable contests. From the sun-baked pitches of Colombo to the electrifying stadiums of Mumbai, these two cricketing giants have shared a bond that goes far beyond wins and losses.
Their encounters have witnessed everything — heart-stopping finals, record-breaking partnerships, and legendary performances that shaped Asian cricket forever. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline is not just about statistics; it’s about respect, rivalry, and resilience.
Be it the thrilling 1996 World Cup semi-final, the emotional 2011 World Cup final, or the nail-biting Asia Cup battles — India and Sri Lanka have continually written new chapters in cricketing history. Both nations have given the world some of the most iconic players, unforgettable matches, and a rivalry built on skill, spirit, and sportsmanship.
Table of Contents
Complete Timeline: India vs Sri Lanka Match History
Below is a detailed timeline of India vs Sri Lanka matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is from 1979 to 2025.
Test Matches Timeline
| Year | Series/Tournament Name | Matches Played | Winner | Highlights / Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Sri Lanka Tour of India | 3 | India | Sri Lanka’s debut Test series against India |
| 1985 | India Tour of Sri Lanka | 3 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka’s first-ever Test win over India |
| 1993 | India Tour of Sri Lanka | 3 | Drawn | Both teams dominated on home soil |
| 1997 | Sri Lanka Tour of India | 3 | India | Jayasuriya’s 340 in Colombo match remembered |
| 2001 | Sri Lanka Tour of India | 3 | India | Kumble and Dravid lead India to 2–1 victory |
| 2008 | India Tour of Sri Lanka | 3 | Sri Lanka | Mendis magic destroys India’s batting line-up |
| 2010 | Sri Lanka Tour of India | 3 | India | Sehwag’s attacking 293 steals the show |
| 2015 | India Tour of Sri Lanka | 3 | India | Kohli-led India wins first away Test series in 22 years |
| 2017 | Sri Lanka Tour of India | 3 | India | India dominates 1–0 in a rain-hit series |
| 2022 | Sri Lanka Tour of India | 2 | India | India wins 2–0 comfortably |
| 2024 | India Tour of Sri Lanka | 2 | Drawn | Youngsters shine on both sides |
Summary of the Test Rivalry
In Tests, India has historically dominated with its superior batting and spin attack. Sri Lanka’s golden era under Jayasuriya and Muralitharan brought balance, but India’s consistency, especially at home, kept them ahead. From the 1980s to the 2020s, their red-ball battles have been marked by respect and technical mastery rather than aggression.
ODI Matches Timeline
| Year | Series/Tournament Name | Matches Played | Winner | Highlights / Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | World Cup Group Stage | 1 | India | India’s early dominance |
| 1985 | World Championship of Cricket | 1 | India | Gavaskar leads from the front |
| 1996 | World Cup Semi-final | 1 | Sri Lanka | Crowd trouble ends match; SL advances to final |
| 1997 | Pepsi Independence Cup | 3 | Sri Lanka | Jayasuriya’s explosive knocks |
| 2002 | Champions Trophy Final | 2 | Shared | Both matches washed out |
| 2004 | Asia Cup Final | 1 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka defends a modest total |
| 2007 | World Cup Group Stage | 1 | Sri Lanka | India’s early exit shock |
| 2009 | Tri-Series in Dhaka | 3 | India | Dhoni and Sehwag dominate |
| 2011 | World Cup Final | 1 | India | Dhoni’s six seals India’s glory |
| 2013 | Tri-Nation Series Final | 1 | India | Kohli’s century chases 250+ |
| 2017 | ODI Series in Sri Lanka | 5 | India | India sweeps 5–0 |
| 2022 | ODI Series in India | 3 | India | Gill and Kohli shine |
| 2024 | Asia Cup Super Four | 1 | India | India crushes Sri Lanka by 41 runs |
Summary of the ODI Rivalry
The ODI rivalry is the most iconic. From World Cup heartbreaks to Asia Cup dominance, India and Sri Lanka have faced each other in over 160 ODIs. India’s modern batting lineup has outclassed Sri Lanka’s bowling in recent years, yet the 1990s and early 2000s belonged to the Sri Lankan lions with Jayasuriya, Dilshan, and Muralitharan leading the charge.
T20I Matches Timeline
| Year | Series/Tournament Name | Matches Played | Winner | Highlights / Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | T20I Series in India | 2 | India | Yuvraj’s all-round brilliance |
| 2012 | T20 World Cup | 1 | India | Kohli’s calm chase |
| 2014 | T20 World Cup Final | 1 | Sri Lanka | Sangakkara leads SL to maiden T20 World Cup |
| 2016 | T20 Series in India | 3 | India | Ashwin’s 4/8 spell stuns Sri Lanka |
| 2018 | Nidahas Trophy Final | 1 | India | Dinesh Karthik’s last-ball six in Colombo |
| 2021 | T20I Series in Sri Lanka | 3 | Sri Lanka | SL wins 2–1 as India rests stars |
| 2023 | T20I Series in India | 3 | India | Suryakumar Yadav’s 112* lights up Rajkot |
| 2025 | T20 World Cup Group Stage | 1 | India | Young guns steer India to victory |
Summary of the T20I Rivalry
In the shortest format, both nations have produced dramatic contests. Sri Lanka’s early dominance (2009–2014) was overtaken by India’s powerful generation of T20 specialists. The Nidahas Trophy final remains a fan-favorite memory that defines how unpredictable and thrilling this rivalry can be.
Major Rivalry Moments
1996 World Cup Semi-Final – The Emotional Breakdown
In one of the most controversial World Cup moments, the semi-final at Eden Gardens saw India crumble in a chase, leading to crowd unrest. Sri Lanka, declared winners by default, advanced to the final and went on to lift their first-ever World Cup.
2011 World Cup Final – The Glory of Mumbai
A moment forever etched in cricket history. Chasing 275, India triumphed at Wankhede Stadium as MS Dhoni’s majestic six sealed a second World Cup title. Sri Lanka, led by Mahela Jayawardene’s elegant century, fought valiantly, showcasing the spirit of the rivalry.
2018 Nidahas Trophy Final – The Dinesh Karthik Miracle
Sri Lanka hosted the tri-nation T20 series where India scripted a miraculous last-ball win. Dinesh Karthik’s six off the final delivery became a defining moment in India–Sri Lanka T20 folklore.
Head-to-Head Stats (All Formats)
| Format | Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draw/No Result | India Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 46 | 24 | 7 | 15 | 52% |
| ODIs | 165 | 98 | 57 | 10 | 59% |
| T20Is | 30 | 20 | 10 | – | 66% |
Analysis
India has maintained a consistent edge in all formats, particularly since 2010. Sri Lanka’s peak years (1996–2007) balanced the equation, but the last decade has seen India dominate with their depth, power hitters, and world-class bowlers. The rivalry, though uneven in numbers, remains close in spirit.
Legendary Players Who Defined the Rivalry
From India
Sachin Tendulkar
Tendulkar’s centuries against Sri Lanka, especially his record-breaking ODI double hundred, established him as a tormentor of the Lankan attack. His battles with Muralitharan were pure cricketing theatre.
Virat Kohli
A run-machine, Kohli’s aggressive batting against Sri Lanka in all formats has been unmatched. Multiple centuries, match-winning chases, and his 2012 Hobart innings remain unforgettable.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit’s 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 remains the highest ODI score in history — an iconic record that still haunts the island nation’s bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah’s fiery pace and toe-crushing yorkers have often dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting order, particularly in limited-overs series post-2017.
From Sri Lanka
Sanath Jayasuriya
The original power-hitter who revolutionized ODI batting, Jayasuriya’s fearless approach against India in the 1990s changed how cricket was played.
Muttiah Muralitharan
The spin wizard with 800 Test wickets always posed a massive challenge to Indian batsmen. His duels with Tendulkar and Dravid are legendary.
Kumar Sangakkara
Grace personified — his consistency and calmness made him a nightmare for Indian bowlers. Sangakkara’s 2014 T20 World Cup final knock remains his finest India-related memory.
Angelo Mathews
Known for his fighting spirit, Mathews led Sri Lanka through transitions and often stood tall in crises against India with his all-round contributions.
Iconic Tournaments and Finals
1996 World Cup Semi-Final – The Turning Point
Sri Lanka’s rise to world cricket’s elite began here. Despite the chaos, their triumph symbolized resilience and paved the path to glory.
2002 Champions Trophy Final – Shared Glory
Both matches were washed out, leading to a rare shared trophy — an example of how unpredictable cricket can be.
2011 ICC World Cup Final – A Night of Legends
Jayawardene’s century, Gambhir’s 97, and Dhoni’s captaincy made it one of the greatest finals in cricket history. It wasn’t just India’s win; it was Asian cricket’s moment of pride.
Asia Cup Classics
From 1997 to 2023, India and Sri Lanka have met in multiple Asia Cup finals — each one defining regional supremacy. Sri Lanka’s tactical brilliance in the early 2000s slowly gave way to India’s batting firepower in the modern era.
Fan Emotions and Cultural Impact
India–Sri Lanka matches are more than cricket — they are a festival of friendship and competition.
Crowds in both nations cheer not just for their teams but for good cricket. On social media, hashtags like #IndvSL and #AsianCricketFamily trend every time these nations meet.
The rivalry has created shared respect: Indian fans admire Sangakkara’s grace, while Sri Lankans celebrate Kohli’s discipline. The passion, chants, and emotional rollercoasters reflect the heart of Asian cricket — spirited yet respectful.
Future of the Rivalry
As cricket evolves, so does this rivalry. With emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Pathum Nissanka, a new chapter begins. Future Asia Cups and ICC events promise more drama and emotion.
Both boards continue to strengthen their cricketing ties with bilateral series planned till 2027, ensuring that the India–Sri Lanka cricket rivalry remains alive for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When did India and Sri Lanka first play an international match?
India and Sri Lanka first met in an ODI in 1979 during the World Cup. It marked the beginning of a long-standing cricket rivalry in Asia.
2. Which team has won more matches overall?
India leads comfortably across formats, with a higher win percentage in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is combined.
3. What was the biggest India vs Sri Lanka match ever?
The 2011 ICC World Cup Final stands out — a high-pressure game where Dhoni’s six sealed India’s victory in front of a roaring Mumbai crowd.
4. Who has the best records in the rivalry?
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Sachin Tendulkar dominate for India, while Jayasuriya, Muralitharan, and Sangakkara lead the Sri Lankan charts.
5. How has the rivalry evolved over the decades?
From a competitive regional contest in the 1980s, the rivalry matured into a global spectacle marked by sportsmanship and mutual admiration.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline is more than a record of matches — it’s a chronicle of emotions, evolution, and excellence. From Colombo’s roars to Mumbai’s cheers, these two nations have given cricket fans countless moments of joy and heartbreak.
Their rivalry symbolizes Asian cricket’s heartbeat — fierce yet respectful, competitive yet brotherly. Whether it’s a World Cup final or a T20 thriller, India and Sri Lanka continue to prove why cricket in Asia is unlike anywhere else in the world.
As the next generation takes the field, one thing remains certain — this legendary rivalry will keep inspiring millions, uniting nations through the beautiful spirit of the game.
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