Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Table of Contents
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team matches have produced some of the most memorable contests in Asian cricket. India and Sri Lanka have played each other regularly across Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), as well as in major ICC tournaments and other multi-team competitions.
The rivalry has developed over several decades and has featured legendary players, close finishes, dominant performances and important matches on both sides of the Palk Strait. Because both teams frequently meet in bilateral series and international tournaments, India vs Sri Lanka remains one of the most familiar matchups in international cricket.
The latest major bilateral chapter came in August 2026, when India toured Sri Lanka for a two-match ICC World Test Championship series. India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs, while the second Test in Colombo ended in a draw. India therefore won the two-match Test series 1-0.
This article covers the history of Sri Lanka vs India matches, important series, recent results, formats, famous performances, venues and frequently asked questions.
Sri Lanka vs India Cricket Rivalry
India and Sri Lanka have a long history of international cricket encounters. Their matches have taken place in India, Sri Lanka and neutral venues around the world.
ODI cricket has been an especially important part of the rivalry. ICC records from the early 2010s already showed the teams had met more than 130 times in ODIs, highlighting the frequency of the matchup.
Test cricket has also produced several significant series. India toured Sri Lanka for a three-Test series in 2017 and won all three matches. The teams then met again in Test cricket during India’s 2026 tour of Sri Lanka after an eight-year gap between Test series in Sri Lanka.
In limited-overs cricket, the teams have regularly played three-match ODI and T20I series. They have also encountered one another in major tournaments, including the Cricket World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, World Twenty20 and Asia Cup.
India vs Sri Lanka: Quick Overview
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | India and Sri Lanka |
| Governing bodies | BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Major formats | Tests, ODIs and T20Is |
| Major competitions | World Cup, Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup, Asia Cup |
| Recent Test series | India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| 2026 Test series result | India won 1-0 |
| 2026 venues | Galle and Colombo |
| Latest 2026 Test result | Second Test drawn |
| WTC cycle | 2025-2027 |
The 2026 series formed part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle, with the two matches scheduled for Galle and Colombo.
Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Matches in 2026
The 2026 Test series was one of the most recent important chapters in the rivalry.
India travelled to Sri Lanka for two World Test Championship matches. The first Test was played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19, followed by the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
India won the opening Test by 165 runs, taking an early 1-0 lead in the series. The second Test produced a very different story, as Sri Lanka fought back strongly after India had established a commanding position.
2026 India vs Sri Lanka Test Series Results
| Test | Venue | Dates | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Galle | Aug. 15-19, 2026 | India won by 165 runs |
| 2nd Test | Colombo | Aug. 23-27, 2026 | Match drawn |
| Series | Sri Lanka | August 2026 | India won 1-0 |
The second Test was particularly notable because India declared on 503/9 and then enforced the follow-on after Sri Lanka were dismissed for 290. Sri Lanka’s Sonal Dinusha played a central role in saving the match, scoring centuries in both innings. His unbeaten 133 in the second innings helped Sri Lanka survive until the match was drawn.
2026 Second Test: A Dramatic Fightback by Sri Lanka
The second Test in Colombo initially appeared to be moving heavily in India’s favour.
India’s batting produced several substantial contributions. Devdutt Padikkal scored 117, while Dhruv Jurel followed with 115 not out. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant also contributed half-centuries as India reached 503/9 before declaring. Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando was one of the home team’s leading performers with four wickets.
Sri Lanka struggled early in their first innings, but Sonal Dinusha’s century helped the hosts recover. India eventually enforced the follow-on, giving Sri Lanka another opportunity to bat.
The second innings became the defining phase of the match. Dinusha remained unbeaten on 133 and received valuable support from Sri Lanka’s lower order. The hosts eventually declared, confirming a draw and preventing India from completing a 2-0 series victory.
The result meant India finished the two-match series with a 1-0 victory, while Sri Lanka earned a draw in Colombo after a substantial fightback.
India vs Sri Lanka Test Cricket History
Test cricket between India and Sri Lanka has included both one-sided series and closely fought matches.
India’s 2017 tour of Sri Lanka was particularly notable. India completed a 3-0 Test series sweep before also winning the subsequent five-match ODI series and the one-off T20I. ICC described that tour as a clean sweep across all three formats.
The teams did not play a Test series in Sri Lanka for several years after that, making the 2026 return especially significant.
The 2026 series was also important because both teams were competing for World Test Championship points. Before the series, ICC reported that India were fifth in the WTC standings while Sri Lanka were sixth.
Important India vs Sri Lanka Test Series
| Year | Location | Series Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Sri Lanka | India won 3-0 |
| 2022 | India | India won 2-0 |
| 2026 | Sri Lanka | India won 1-0 |
India’s 2022 home series included two Tests. India won the first Test by an innings and 222 runs and the second by 238 runs.
India vs Sri Lanka ODI Matches
ODI cricket has historically been one of the most frequently played formats between India and Sri Lanka.
The teams have met many times in bilateral series, Asia Cup matches and ICC tournaments. Their ODI rivalry also includes some memorable World Cup encounters and matches involving famous Indian and Sri Lankan players.
An ICC statistical review published in 2013 recorded 139 ODI meetings at that point, with India having won 75 and Sri Lanka 52, alongside one tie and 11 no-results.
Because that statistic is historical rather than a current career-to-date total, it should not be treated as the latest overall head-to-head figure.
Recent ODI Series: 2024
India toured Sri Lanka in 2024 for three ODIs following a three-match T20I series.
The ODI series produced an unusual result. The first match ended in a tie, while Sri Lanka won the second and third matches to take the ODI series 2-0. Sri Lanka Cricket’s annual report records the first ODI as 230-230, followed by a 32-run Sri Lankan victory and a 110-run victory in the third ODI.
| ODI | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Aug. 2, 2024 | Match tied |
| 2nd ODI | Aug. 4, 2024 | Sri Lanka won by 32 runs |
| 3rd ODI | Aug. 7, 2024 | Sri Lanka won by 110 runs |
| Series | 2024 | Sri Lanka won 2-0 |
The first ODI was especially dramatic because both teams finished on 230. Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage made an important all-round contribution, while the match ended without a winner.
The second ODI saw Jeffrey Vandersay produce a six-wicket performance as Sri Lanka successfully defended their total. In the third match, Sri Lanka completed a 110-run victory.
India vs Sri Lanka T20I Matches
T20I cricket has added another dimension to the Sri Lanka vs India rivalry. The shorter format has produced close finishes, high-scoring games and matches decided in the final overs.
In 2024, the teams played three T20Is in Pallekele. India won the series, although the third match required a Super Over after both teams finished on 137.
2024 T20I Series Results
| T20I | Result |
|---|---|
| 1st T20I | India won by 43 runs |
| 2nd T20I | India won by 7 wickets via DLS |
| 3rd T20I | India won after a Super Over |
| Series | India won 3-0 |
The first T20I saw India score 213/7 before Sri Lanka were dismissed for 170. Suryakumar Yadav scored 58 from 26 balls and was named Player of the Match.
The second match was shortened by rain, with India winning under the DLS method.
The third T20I was particularly memorable. Both teams finished on 137, sending the contest into a Super Over, which India won.
Major Sri Lanka vs India Cricket Matches
Several matches stand out when looking at the history of the rivalry.
1996 Cricket World Cup
The 1996 Cricket World Cup semi-final between India and Sri Lanka in Kolkata remains one of the most discussed matches in their cricket history. Sri Lanka were awarded the match after crowd disturbances caused the game to be stopped. ICC records the match as a significant early World Cup meeting between the two nations.
Sri Lanka went on to win the 1996 World Cup, while the match became part of the tournament’s history.
2002 Champions Trophy Finals
India and Sri Lanka met in both scheduled finals of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. Both matches ended without a result because of rain, resulting in the trophy being shared. ICC records both matches as no-results.
2011 World Cup Final
Another major chapter came at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai. Sri Lanka posted a competitive total after Kumar Sangakkara’s team batted first, but India chased successfully and won the World Cup on home soil.
The final remains one of the most famous India vs Sri Lanka matches because it involved two of the strongest batting line-ups of that era.
Famous Players in India vs Sri Lanka Matches
The rivalry has featured many internationally recognised cricketers.
For India, players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin have played important roles against Sri Lanka over different generations.
Sri Lanka have also produced several outstanding performers, including Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews.
Notable Players
| India | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | Sanath Jayasuriya |
| Rahul Dravid | Kumar Sangakkara |
| MS Dhoni | Mahela Jayawardene |
| Virat Kohli | Muttiah Muralitharan |
| Rohit Sharma | Lasith Malinga |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Angelo Mathews |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Tillakaratne Dilshan |
Modern matches have introduced another generation of players, including Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel for India, alongside younger Sri Lankan players such as Sonal Dinusha and Dunith Wellalage.
India vs Sri Lanka Matches and Head-to-Head Records
Head-to-head records depend on the format and the exact cutoff date. Therefore, Test, ODI and T20I statistics should always be considered separately.
Historical BCCI and ICC records demonstrate how frequently the teams have met. For example, BCCI’s 2012 ODI preview listed 134 meetings, while another BCCI statistical preview later that year listed 137 matches. ICC subsequently recorded 139 ODI meetings in its 2013 statistical review. These changing totals reflect matches played between the publications rather than a disagreement about the historical rivalry.
For an SEO article, it is therefore better to avoid presenting an old head-to-head number as a current statistic unless it has been checked against an up-to-date statistical database.
Why India vs Sri Lanka Matches Are Popular
There are several reasons why searches for Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team matches remain popular among cricket fans.
First, the teams meet frequently, meaning there is a large archive of previous matches to explore. Fans can find Test scorecards, ODI results, T20I records and tournament encounters.
Second, both countries have produced generations of high-profile players. The rivalry has therefore remained relevant even as individual squads have changed.
Third, India and Sri Lanka have frequently played in Asia Cup and World Cup competitions. Tournament matches often carry additional importance because a single result can affect qualification or progression.
Finally, the geographic proximity of the two countries has helped create a strong cricketing connection. Tours between India and Sri Lanka are common, with players from both nations familiar with the conditions and styles of play.
Important Venues for India vs Sri Lanka Matches
Matches between the two countries have been hosted at numerous famous cricket grounds.
In Sri Lanka, venues such as the Galle International Cricket Stadium, R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and the Sinhalese Sports Club have hosted India matches.
In India, major venues including Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium and Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium have been used for international cricket involving Sri Lanka.
The 2026 Test series used Galle and Colombo. The first Test took place at Galle, while the second was held at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Sri Lanka vs India Match Scorecards
Cricket fans searching for individual match scorecards usually want information such as:
- Team totals
- Individual batting scores
- Bowling figures
- Fall of wickets
- Overs
- Match result
- Player of the Match
- Series result
- Venue and date
For example, Sri Lanka Cricket’s official 2024 annual report provides detailed score information from the India-Sri Lanka T20I and ODI series.
For the 2026 Test series, official reports provide match results and detailed performances from the Galle and Colombo Tests.
India vs Sri Lanka: Recent Match Summary
| Year | Format | Series/Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | T20I | India tour of India | India won 3-0 |
| 2022 | Test | India tour of India | India won 2-0 |
| 2023 | T20I | Sri Lanka tour of India | India won 2-1 |
| 2023 | ODI | Sri Lanka tour of India | India won 3-0 |
| 2024 | T20I | India tour of Sri Lanka | India won 3-0 |
| 2024 | ODI | India tour of Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won 2-0 |
| 2026 | Test | India tour of Sri Lanka | India won 1-0 |
The 2023 series illustrates how the teams can produce different results in different formats. India won the T20I series 2-1 and swept the three-match ODI series 3-0. Sri Lanka’s 2024 ODI success then provided a contrasting result.
Future of the Sri Lanka vs India Cricket Rivalry
The rivalry is likely to remain an important part of the international cricket calendar because India and Sri Lanka regularly participate in the same ICC and Asian competitions.
The 2026 Test series also showed that the rivalry can produce contrasting match situations. India dominated the first Test and won by 165 runs, while Sri Lanka responded with a determined performance in Colombo to save the second Test.
As new players enter both national teams, the individual stories will change, but the broader India-Sri Lanka cricket rivalry continues to provide fans with a large collection of matches, records and memorable performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have India and Sri Lanka played cricket?
India and Sri Lanka have played each other hundreds of times across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. ODI cricket has historically accounted for a particularly large number of meetings. ICC recorded 139 ODI encounters by 2013, demonstrating the long history of the fixture.
When was the latest India vs Sri Lanka Test series?
The latest Test series was played in August 2026 in Sri Lanka as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle. India won the series 1-0.
Who won the India vs Sri Lanka 2026 Test series?
India won the two-match 2026 Test series 1-0. India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs, while the second Test in Colombo ended in a draw.
Where was the 2026 India vs Sri Lanka Test series played?
The first Test was played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, while the second Test was played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Who saved the second Test between Sri Lanka and India in 2026?
Sonal Dinusha played a major role in Sri Lanka’s successful resistance. He scored centuries in both innings, including an unbeaten 133 in the second innings, helping Sri Lanka secure a draw.
Did Sri Lanka beat India in an ODI series recently?
Yes. Sri Lanka won the three-match ODI series against India in 2024 by a 2-0 margin after the first ODI ended in a tie.
Has India played Sri Lanka in the World Cup?
Yes. India and Sri Lanka have met in multiple Cricket World Cup editions, including the famous 1996 semi-final and 2011 final.
Conclusion
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team matches represent one of the longest-running international cricket rivalries in Asia. From World Cup encounters and Champions Trophy matches to bilateral Test, ODI and T20I series, the two teams have produced a wide variety of memorable contests.
The 2026 Test series added another important chapter. India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs and eventually secured the series 1-0, but Sri Lanka’s remarkable resistance in the Colombo Test prevented a clean sweep. Sonal Dinusha’s twin centuries were among the defining performances of that match.
The rivalry also continues to change with each generation. Legendary names have gradually made way for younger players, while established stars continue to influence major contests.
For cricket fans searching for India vs Sri Lanka matches, India vs Sri Lanka head-to-head records, Sri Lanka vs India scorecards, India vs Sri Lanka Test matches, ODI results or T20I results, the rivalry offers decades of statistics and memorable cricket to explore.
| Read More : Punjab Kings Vs Lucknow Super Giants Timeline |
