How Many Times Sri Lanka Beat India in Cricket History?

Cricket, being one of the most popular sports in both India and Sri Lanka, has witnessed some of the most thrilling and historic encounters between the two nations. With over six decades of rivalry in international cricket, India and Sri Lanka have faced each other in various formats, including Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20s. So, how many times has Sri Lanka beaten India? Let’s dive into the stats, key matches, and unforgettable moments that have defined this iconic rivalry.

1. Sri Lanka’s Wins in Test Matches Against India

The Test cricket format has been the foundation of international rivalry for decades. India and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 44 Test matches since their first encounter in 1982.

• Sri Lanka’s Wins: 7
• India’s Wins: 21
• Draws: 16

Although Sri Lanka has not had as much success in Test cricket as India, they have managed to win 7 matches over the years, with a few iconic moments like their victory in the 1993 Colombo Test when Sri Lanka defeated India by 245 runs.

Memorable Test Match: One of the most remarkable Test victories for Sri Lanka was in 1997, when they defeated India by an innings and 239 runs in the Colombo Test, led by a stellar performance from Muttiah Muralitharan.

2. ODI Encounters: A Closer Look

ODIs between India and Sri Lanka have been fiercely contested, with both teams having numerous memorable encounters. In the 165 ODIs played between the two teams:

• Sri Lanka’s Wins: 57
• India’s Wins: 93
• No Result: 10

Sri Lanka’s consistency in the limited-overs format has been impressive, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were known for their aggressive approach, spearheaded by players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene.

Memorable ODI Victory: Sri Lanka’s win in the 1996 Cricket World Cup Final was a major highlight. In this historic match, Sri Lanka defeated Australia, clinching their first-ever World Cup. While it wasn’t against India, the victory was a turning point for Sri Lankan cricket on the global stage.

3. Sri Lanka’s Success in T20s

T20 cricket has seen more competitive games between India and Sri Lanka, as both teams are known for their flair in the shortest format. Out of the 23 T20 matches played:

• Sri Lanka’s Wins: 6
• India’s Wins: 16
• No Result: 1

Sri Lanka has been a formidable opponent in T20 cricket, especially in ICC events like the T20 World Cup. However, India has dominated in the T20 format with a much higher win rate.

Memorable T20 Moment: The 2009 ICC T20 World Cup saw Sri Lanka and India face off in the tournament. While India didn’t win that particular match, Sri Lanka’s strong performances throughout the tournament helped them reach the final, showcasing their capabilities in T20 cricket.

4. The 1996 Cricket World Cup: A Historic Victory

Though Sri Lanka did not beat India in the 1996 World Cup Final, their victory in the tournament is still one of the most significant events in their cricket history. Sri Lanka defeated Australia in the final, held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan.

• Sri Lanka’s Victory: Sri Lanka won the World Cup by 7 wickets.
• Australia’s Score: Australia managed to score 241/7 in 50 overs.
• Sri Lanka’s Chase: Sri Lanka chased down the target with ease, scoring 245/3 in just 46.2 overs, led by the brilliant batting of Aravinda de Silva.

This victory cemented Sri Lanka’s position as a strong cricketing nation and was a pivotal moment in the rivalry between India and Sri Lanka, as Sri Lanka’s success further fueled the competition.

5. Sri Lanka’s Impact in ICC Tournaments

Throughout the years, Sri Lanka has also found success in ICC Champions Trophy and ICC T20 World Cups, adding another layer to the rivalry with India.

• ICC Champions Trophy (2002): The final between India and Sri Lanka ended in a no result due to rain, but the two teams have been consistent contenders.
• T20 World Cups: Sri Lanka has made it to the finals of the 2012 and 2014 T20 World Cups, further adding to their competitive nature in international cricket.

6. Memorable Moments in the Rivalry

Several memorable moments have occurred during matches between India and Sri Lanka:

• 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup: India and Sri Lanka faced off in the group stages, where India defeated Sri Lanka.
• 2011 Cricket World Cup: India and Sri Lanka met in the final of the 2011 World Cup in Mumbai, with India claiming victory and lifting the trophy after a long wait of 28 years. Sri Lanka’s efforts were commendable, but India prevailed with MS Dhoni’s iconic match-winning knock.

7. The Rivalry Continues

The India-Sri Lanka rivalry continues to be one of the most exciting in world cricket, with both teams regularly meeting in bilateral series and ICC events. Sri Lanka has always been a tough opponent for India, and while the head-to-head record leans heavily in India’s favor, Sri Lanka has had its fair share of success in key matches.

The rivalry has also brought forward several individual performances that have stood out over the years:

• Muttiah Muralitharan: The legendary Sri Lankan spinner has been a key figure in both Tests and ODIs against India, claiming several match-winning performances.
• Virat Kohli: For India, players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been instrumental in their victories over Sri Lanka, often playing match-defining innings.

Conclusion

The rivalry between India and Sri Lanka has given cricket fans some of the most thrilling moments in history. While Sri Lanka has been victorious on several occasions, India has generally had the upper hand in their encounters. Sri Lanka’s victories, especially in ICC tournaments and memorable ODI and Test wins, continue to add depth to this fascinating cricketing rivalry.

Both nations have produced legendary players who have left a lasting impact on the sport, and their encounters are always highly anticipated. As the rivalry continues, cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the next chapter in this historic and competitive clash.