Introduction: India vs Sri Lanka Cricket Stats
When India and Sri Lanka face off on the cricket field, it’s more than just a match — it’s a clash full of history, excitement, and pride. Over the years, this rivalry has given us countless unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and games that kept us glued to our screens till the very last ball.
Both teams have had their highs and lows, but what makes this rivalry special is the mutual respect and the competitive spirit they bring every single time. Let’s take a friendly stroll through the numbers, memorable matches, star players, and everything else that makes India vs Sri Lanka a cricket classic.
Table of Contents
Head-to-Head Stats – Who’s Leading the Way?
Test Matches
India and Sri Lanka started playing Tests against each other back in the early ’80s. While Sri Lanka has had some good moments, India has usually been the stronger team in this format.
- Matches Played: 47
- India Wins: 22
- Sri Lanka Wins: 7
- Drawn: 18
India’s pace-spin combo has often proved too tough for the Lankan batters, especially on Indian pitches. But don’t count Sri Lanka out — they’ve pulled off some surprises too.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
This is where things get really interesting. India and Sri Lanka have played a ton of ODIs over the years — in World Cups, Asia Cups, and bilateral series.
- Total ODIs Played: 166
- India Wins: 98
- Sri Lanka Wins: 57
- No Result/Ties: 11
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, it was a tight fight. But over the last decade or so, India has clearly pulled ahead.
T20 Internationals
The shortest format, but the excitement? Off the charts. T20s between these two teams are fast, fiery, and unpredictable.
- T20Is Played: 29
- India Wins: 19
- Sri Lanka Wins: 9
- No Result: 1
India’s explosive batting line-up and strong bowling depth have helped them stay ahead in most of these games.
Players Who’ve Lit Up the Rivalry
For India
- Sachin Tendulkar – The Master Blaster loved batting against Sri Lanka and had several big knocks to his name.
- Virat Kohli – Chases, centuries, pressure? Kohli has delivered in style, especially in ODIs.
- Rohit Sharma – Remember that 264-run storm in 2014? Yep, that was against Sri Lanka.
And let’s not forget bowlers like Anil Kumble, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah, who’ve all troubled Lankan batsmen over the years.
For Sri Lanka
- Sanath Jayasuriya – His aggressive style in the ‘90s shook up Indian bowlers like never before.
- Kumar Sangakkara – Calm, classy, and consistent. Sangakkara’s record against India is solid.
- Mahela Jayawardene – Another Sri Lankan great who knew how to build an innings, especially in big games.
And then there’s Muttiah Muralitharan, who loved spinning webs around Indian batsmen. Lasith Malinga? His toe-crushing yorkers are still hard to forget.
Matches That Still Give Fans Goosebumps
2011 World Cup Final – A Night to Remember
- Date: April 2, 2011
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Winner: India
Sri Lanka batted first and put up 274, thanks to a classy hundred from Mahela Jayawardene. But India, led by Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni, chased it down and won the World Cup after 28 long years. Dhoni’s winning six? Iconic.
Rohit’s 264 – A Record for the Ages
- Date: November 13, 2014
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Rohit Sharma made history by smashing 264 runs — the highest individual score in ODI history. The poor Sri Lankan bowlers had no answers that day.
1996 World Cup Semi-Final – Sri Lanka’s Big Break
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
India was in a strong position but collapsed dramatically. The crowd couldn’t handle the heartbreak and the match had to be awarded to Sri Lanka. That win played a key role in Sri Lanka lifting the World Cup that year.
How the Teams Perform at Home and Away
India at Home
India has been nearly unbeatable on home turf, especially in Tests. The pitches, the conditions, and the support from fans make a big difference.
India in Sri Lanka
Surprisingly, India has done pretty well even when touring Sri Lanka. In 2017, they even clean-swept the entire tour — 3 Tests, 5 ODIs, and a T20I.
Sri Lanka in India
Sri Lanka has always found it tough to win in India. The pitches don’t always suit them, and Indian batters know how to dominate in their own backyard.
Key Stats That Stand Out
- Highest ODI Total by India: 414/7 (2009)
- Highest ODI Total by Sri Lanka: 411/8 (2009)
- Lowest Total by India: 54 all out (2000)
- Lowest by Sri Lanka: 96 all out (1984)
- Highest Individual Score: Rohit Sharma – 264
- Top Wicket-Takers: Muralitharan and Kumble top the charts in Tests, while Malinga and Bumrah have led in limited-overs.
Current Teams – A Look at the Squads
India’s Line-up
India’s team is full of firepower these days. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still anchor the batting, while new stars like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Arshdeep Singh bring youthful energy. With Bumrah and Siraj leading the pace attack, India’s bowling looks sharp too.
Sri Lanka’s New Era
Sri Lanka may not have the big names of the past, but they’ve got talent coming through. Wanindu Hasaranga is a proper match-winner, and players like Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Matheesha Pathirana are making an impact. With the right guidance, this team has great potential.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters
Even though India has been more dominant in recent years, the India-Sri Lanka rivalry still holds a special place. Maybe it’s the shared cricket history. Maybe it’s the big tournament clashes. Or maybe it’s just the joy of watching two cricket-loving nations give it their all on the field.
No matter who wins, one thing’s for sure — when India and Sri Lanka play, the cricket world watches.
Final Thoughts
India vs Sri Lanka isn’t just about wins, losses, or stats — it’s about the stories, the legends, and the moments that stay with fans forever. From World Cup highs to heart-breaking losses, this rivalry has seen it all.
As both teams continue their journeys, we can expect more great cricket, fresh rivalries, and moments that remind us why we fell in love with the game in the first place.
