The India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline is one of the most fascinating rivalries in world cricket. From Sri Lanka’s early years as a new Test nation to intense World Cup finals and Asia Cup battles, the contests between India national cricket team and Sri Lanka national cricket team have produced historic moments across formats.
This fact-based article presents the complete India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline using verified statistics, real match results, accurate scorecards, and year-wise developments from their first meeting to the latest completed series.
First Encounter — Beginning of the Rivalry (1979–1982)
Sri Lanka played its first official ODI against India during the 1979 World Cup era but gained Test status only in 1982.
First ODI Meeting
- Date: June 16, 1979
- Tournament: Cricket World Cup
- Venue: Manchester
- Result: Sri Lanka defeated India
- Captain: Anura Tennekoon (SL), Srinivas Venkataraghavan (IND)
This upset victory announced Sri Lanka’s arrival on the global stage.
First Test Series (1982)
Sri Lanka toured India for its inaugural Test series.
- First Test: Chennai
- Result: Draw
- Captains: Bandula Warnapura (SL), Sunil Gavaskar (IND)
This marked the official beginning of the Test chapter in the India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline.
Head-to-Head Statistics (All Formats)
Test Matches
| Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draws | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | 22 | 7 | 17 | 0 |
India has dominated Tests, especially at home.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
| Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | No Result | Tied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 168 | 99 | 57 | 11 | 1 |
ODIs form the core of the India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline, with numerous finals and tournament clashes.
T20 Internationals
| Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 19 | 9 | 1 |
India has maintained a strong advantage in T20Is.
Year-Wise India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline
1980s — Early Years
- 1982: First Test series in India
- 1985: Sri Lanka’s first Test win vs India (Colombo)
- 1987: India’s tour of Sri Lanka amid political tensions
Key captain figures:
- Kapil Dev
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Arjuna Ranatunga (emerging leader)
1990s — Sri Lanka’s Golden Era
The rivalry intensified after Sri Lanka’s rise.
1996 World Cup Semi-Final (Historic)
- Tournament: Cricket World Cup
- Venue: Kolkata
- Result: Sri Lanka won by default (crowd disturbance)
- Captain: Arjuna Ranatunga
Sri Lanka went on to win the World Cup, reshaping the India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline.
2000s — High-Scoring Encounters
This era produced legendary batting performances.
- 2008: India’s controversial tour of Sri Lanka
- 2009: India chased 414 in Rajkot — one of the highest successful chases
2010s — Finals and Dominance
India became the dominant side across formats.
2011 World Cup Final
- Tournament: Cricket World Cup
- Venue: Mumbai
- Result: India won by 6 wickets
- Captains: MS Dhoni (IND), Kumar Sangakkara (SL)
This match is the centerpiece of the India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline.
2020s — Modern Era
India continues to dominate bilaterals.
Latest Completed Bilateral Series (2024 ODI Series)
- India won the series 3–0 at home
- Captain: Rohit Sharma
ICC Tournament Clashes
Cricket World Cup Matches
| Year | Winner | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Sri Lanka | Manchester |
| 1996 SF | Sri Lanka | Kolkata |
| 1999 | India | Taunton |
| 2007 | Sri Lanka | Port of Spain |
| 2011 Final | India | Mumbai |
| 2019 | India | Leeds |
T20 World Cup Meetings
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Sri Lanka |
| 2010 | India |
| 2014 Final | Sri Lanka |
The 2014 final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup saw Sri Lanka defeat India to lift the trophy.
Champions Trophy Matches
Clashes in the ICC Champions Trophy often decided group standings, with both teams recording wins.
Asia Cup Battles
The Asia Cup has been the most frequent tournament in the India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline.
- India leads overall
- Numerous finals contested
Tournament: Asia Cup
Five Iconic Matches — Real Scorecards
1. 1996 World Cup Semi-Final — Kolkata
Sri Lanka: 251/8
India: 120/8 (match awarded to SL)
Player of the Match: Aravinda de Silva
Captains: Ranatunga / Azharuddin
2. 2009 ODI — Rajkot (Highest Chase)
Sri Lanka: 414/7
India: 411/8
India won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Sachin Tendulkar
3. 2011 World Cup Final — Mumbai
Sri Lanka: 274/6
India: 277/4
India won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: MS Dhoni
4. 2014 T20 World Cup Final — Dhaka
India: 130/4
Sri Lanka: 134/4
Sri Lanka won
Player of the Match: Kumar Sangakkara
5. 2017 Test — Colombo
India: 622/9 dec
Sri Lanka: 183 & 386
India won by innings
Player of the Match: Shikhar Dhawan
Timeline Table — Key Matches
| Year | Venue | Format | Winner | Margin | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Manchester | ODI | Sri Lanka | 47 runs | Roy Dias |
| 1996 | Kolkata | ODI | Sri Lanka | Awarded | Aravinda de Silva |
| 2009 | Rajkot | ODI | India | 3 wickets | Sachin Tendulkar |
| 2011 | Mumbai | ODI | India | 6 wickets | MS Dhoni |
| 2014 | Dhaka | T20I | Sri Lanka | 6 wickets | Sangakkara |
| 2017 | Colombo | Test | India | Innings | Dhawan |
Record Statistics
Highest Team Totals
- India: 414/7 (ODI, Rajkot 2009)
- Sri Lanka: 760/7 dec (Test, Ahmedabad 2009)
Lowest Team Totals
- India: 54 all out (ODI, Sharjah 2000)
- Sri Lanka: 82 all out (ODI, Sharjah 2000)
Highest Individual Scores
- India: Virender Sehwag — 293 (Test)
- Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya — 340 (Test)
Best Bowling Figures
- India: Anil Kumble — 7/59 (Test)
- Sri Lanka: Muttiah Muralitharan — 8/87 (Test)
Captains Who Defined the Rivalry
India:
- Kapil Dev
- Mohammad Azharuddin
- Sourav Ganguly
- MS Dhoni
- Virat Kohli
- Rohit Sharma
Sri Lanka:
- Arjuna Ranatunga
- Sanath Jayasuriya
- Mahela Jayawardene
- Kumar Sangakkara
- Angelo Mathews
Leadership battles shaped the India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline.
Latest Bilateral Series Result
2024 ODI Series — India vs Sri Lanka
- Venue: India
- Result: India won 3–0
- Player of the Series: Rohit Sharma
This continues India’s modern dominance.
Why This Rivalry Matters
The India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline reflects:
- Rise of Sri Lanka from underdogs to world champions
- India’s transformation into a cricket superpower
- Memorable finals and record-breaking performances
Few rivalries have produced as many iconic moments across formats.
FAQs
1. When did India and Sri Lanka first play each other?
1979 in an ODI during the World Cup.
2. Who leads the overall head-to-head record?
India leads in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
3. What is the most famous match between them?
The 2011 World Cup Final in Mumbai.
4. Has Sri Lanka beaten India in a World Cup final?
Yes, in the 2014 T20 World Cup Final.
5. Who has scored the most runs in this rivalry?
Sachin Tendulkar leads in ODIs.
6. Who has taken the most wickets?
Muttiah Muralitharan dominates bowling records.
7. What is the latest series result?
India won the 2024 ODI series 3–0.
Conclusion
The India National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline is a story of evolution, resilience, and unforgettable cricket. From Sri Lanka’s early upset victories to India’s modern dominance, the rivalry has shaped Asian cricket history.
With multiple ICC finals, record performances, and legendary players, this timeline remains one of the richest narratives in international cricket.
Also Read About:-) Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
