Timeline of Sri Lanka vs India National Cricket Team

Cricket is a game of passion, strategy, and unforgettable moments. Every match brings excitement, with players pushing their limits to achieve greatness. A few rivalries have stood out from the crowd, crafting the narrative of the sport through thrilling matches and legendary performances. One such battle is between Sri Lanka and India, who have fought fiercely on the field for decades. From iconic matches to record-breaking feats, their paths are filled with memorable rivalries. Let us take a look at the timeline of this historic cricketing rivalry.

Table of Contents

Early Encounter: 1970s and 1980s

Between India and Sri Lanka, the cricketing journey started during the mid-1970s, when Sri Lanka was still building its own version of international cricket. Their first notable encounter came in the 1979 ICC Cricket World Cup. An associate member at that moment, Sri Lanka surprised India with a remarkable victory. This victory was no mere upset. It marked Sri Lanka’s emergence on the world stage.

The rivalry advanced to another level in 1982 when Sri Lanka played their first Test series against India after they obtained Test status in 1981. It was a series win for India, but Sri Lanka drew two Tests to show some of its own fighting spirit. And this performance confirmed they are not merely a new team but a dominant one. Over the years, the two determined nations found their competitive footing. Their battles ramped up over the years, resulting in some of cricket’s most memorable moments.

The Rise of Sri Lanka (1990s)

The 1990s marked a turning point for Sri Lankan cricket. As Sri Lanka developed into a sturdy and forceful contender on the international platform, their rivalry with India intensified.

1996 ICC Cricket World Cup

Sri Lanka beat India in the semi-final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. There was a dramatic batting collapse from India, which led to crowd disruption. The match was awarded to Sri Lanka, who won their first-ever World Cup. This win altered Sri Lanka’s cricketing history.

1997 Independence Cup

Sri Lanka completed the biggest-ever run chase by achieving a record-breaking run chase. The target of 299 runs proved difficult against the mighty Indians, but the Sri Lankans played with confidence. Their savage hitting led them to chase down the total in just 39 overs, then the largest successful ODI run chase.

Memorable Test Battles in the 2000s

The rivalry in Test cricket became more competitive as both teams strengthened their squads.

2001

India won their first Test series in Sri Lanka, captained by Sourav Ganguly. The hard-fought series finished 2-1, with India emerging as the victors, which added another milestone in their cricketing history.

2008

Sri Lanka struck back with a dominant performance at home. Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis’s legendary spin had absolutely destroyed the Indian batting lineup. Mendis, in particular, proved nearly impossible to handle, leading Sri Lanka to a 2-1 series victory.

The rivalry heated up further between India and Sri Lanka during ICC tournaments and bilateral series in the 2010s. Both sides played out memorable matches that had cricket fans on the edge of their seats.

Continued ODI Rivalry in the 2010s

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final

India lifted their second World Cup trophy after a thrilling win against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium. Chasing 275, India lost early wickets before bouncing back with Gautam Gambhir’s critical 97. A famous six was hit by MS Dhoni as he finished unbeaten at 91, sealing victory. Yuvraj Singh’s all-round performance was also crucial.

2014 ICC T20 World Cup Final

Sri Lanka bounced back and beat India to win their maiden T20 World Cup title. With a relatively small target to chase, Sri Lanka made comfortable progress to victory. Kumar Sangakkara played a match-winning knock in his last T20 international match as he secured victory for his side. This victory provided Sri Lanka with an elusive ICC trophy and a wonderful send-off for one of their greatest players.

Recent Encounters (2020s)

2021 Limited Overs Series

The second-string Indian squad captained by Shikhar Dhawan toured Sri Lanka. While India won the ODI series 2-1, Sri Lanka fought back well , winning the T20I series with the same margin.

2022 Asia Cup

Sri Lanka delivered a stunning performance, knocking India out of the Asia Cup. They went on to defeat Pakistan in the final, marking a significant comeback for Sri Lankan cricket. Their triumph was considered a significant revival for the team on the continental level.

India’s Tour of Sri Lanka (2024)

T20I Cricket Series

Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian cricket team swept the T20I 3-0. Ravi Bishnoi played a key role and finished as India’s top wicket-taker.

ODI Series

In a remarkable turnaround, Sri Lanka secured a historic ODI series win against India. This victory marked their first bilateral ODI series triumph over India since 1997, a milestone that was celebrated by fans and players alike.

Key Encounters in the Sri Lanka vs India Cricket Rivalry

Year	Event	Outcome
1979	First ICC World Cup encounter	Sri Lanka defeats India, marking their arrival.
1982	First Test series	India wins 1-0, but Sri Lanka draws two Tests.
1996	ICC World Cup Semi-final	Sri Lanka defeats India, eventually winning the Cup.
1997	Independence Cup	Sri Lanka chases 299 in 39 overs, setting a record.
2001	Test series in Sri Lanka	India wins 2-1, claiming their first series win.
2008	Test series in Sri Lanka	Sri Lanka wins 2-1, with Mendis and Muralitharan dominant.
2011	ICC World Cup Final	India wins by 6 wickets, securing their second title.
2014	ICC T20 World Cup Final	Sri Lanka wins their first T20 World Cup title.
2021	Sri Lanka wins their first T20 World Cup title.	India wins ODI series, Sri Lanka wins T20I series.
2022	Asia Cup	Sri Lanka knocks India out and wins the final.
2024	India’s Tour of Sri Lanka	India sweeps the T20I series; Sri Lanka wins the ODI series.

Wrapping It Up

The rivalry between Sri Lanka and India has continuously delivered thrilling cricketing moments, with plenty of unforgettable highs and memorable clashes. From the early days of Sri Lanka’s establishment in international cricketing to victories at World Cups and other series, many epic moments between Sri Lanka and India have defined the sport. As these teams evolve, this rivalry promises to deliver thrilling and memorable moments to cricket fans everywhere.