From their first ODI in 1979 to the latest eye-catching clashes, the cricketing rivalry between Sri Lanka and India has woven through decades, formats, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s thrilling one-day performances or rising stars in bilateral series, this timeline brings all the highlights into clear view.
Historic Head-to-Head Snapshot
| Format | First Meeting | Total Matches | India Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | No Result / Tie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | June 16, 1979 (World Cup) | 171 | 99 | 59 | 11 No Result, 2 Tie |
| Test | 1982 | 46 | 24 | 7 | 15 Drawn |
| T20I | 2009 | 29 | 20 | 9 | 0 |
Recent Highlight: India in Sri Lanka, 2024 Series
ODI Series (July–August 2024)
Sri Lanka stunned India with a 2–0 series victory, their first bilateral ODI series win over India in 27 years.
| Match | Winner | Key Performer (Bat) | Key Performer (Ball) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Sri Lanka | Avishka Fernando – 80 runs | Vandersay – 4 wickets |
| 2nd ODI | Sri Lanka | Avishka Fernando – 57 runs | Dunith Wellalage – 3 wickets |
Series Awards
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Player of the Series: Dunith Wellalage (SL)
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Highest Run Scorer: Rohit Sharma (IND) – 157 runs
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Leading Wicket-taker: Jeffrey Vandersay (SL) – 8 wickets
T20I Series (2024)
India bounced back by whitewashing Sri Lanka 3–0, showcasing all-round dominance.
| Match | Winner | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | India | Surya Kumar Yadav’s quickfire 60 |
| 2nd T20I | India | Arshdeep Singh – 3 wickets |
| 3rd T20I | India | Ruturaj Gaikwad – 45 runs |
Career Highlights & Turning Points
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ODI Rivalry: Most frequent opponent for India with a 63.4% win rate in ODIs.
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Historic First ODI: June 1979 – Sri Lanka beat India at Old Trafford.
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Test Milestone: Sri Lanka’s first Test victory against India came in 1985 at Colombo.
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Recent Dominance: India swept the 2021–22 Test series 2–0 at home.
Recent & Upcoming Fixtures
| Year | Format | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ODI Series | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won 2–0 |
| 2024 | T20I Series | Sri Lanka | India won 3–0 |
| 2025 | ICC Cycle | Yet to be scheduled | N/A |
Why This Rivalry Captivates Fans
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Contrast in Styles: Sri Lanka’s flair vs India’s depth.
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Cricketing Growth: From underdogs to global contenders.
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Emerging Stars: Avishka Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Ruturaj Gaikwad.
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Drama Across Decades: Unforgettable duels, iconic series, and passionate fanbases.
Quick Recap
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ODI Head-to-Head: India leads 99–59.
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2024 Series Tale: Sri Lanka’s rare ODI triumph followed by India’s T20I comeback.
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Tests: India dominant; Sri Lanka’s last big win came in 1985.
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Momentum Building: Every new series writes another chapter.
