Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline

The Sri Lanka national cricket team vs India national cricket team timeline stretches from their first meeting at the 1979 World Cup to the ongoing 2026 Test series. Over more than four decades, the two teams have met in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, World Cups and Asia Cups, producing several memorable matches and major tournament results.

The latest chapter is taking place in Sri Lanka. India are playing a two-Test series as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27. India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs on August 19, 2026, and currently lead the series 1–0. The second Test is scheduled for August 23–27 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

If you want to understand the complete India vs Sri Lanka cricket history, the timeline below covers the key stages, from their first international meeting to the latest Test series.

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: 2026 Series Update

The current India vs Sri Lanka Test series 2026 consists of two matches and forms part of the World Test Championship. India returned to Sri Lanka for Test cricket after their previous Test tour there in 2017, when they completed a 3–0 series win.

India Win the First Test in Galle

India began the series with a 165-run victory in Galle. Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 in India’s first innings, helping the visitors post 462. India later set Sri Lanka a target of 372, but the hosts were bowled out for 206.

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was another standout performer. He took 10 wickets in the match, including six in Sri Lanka’s second innings. His performance played an important role in India’s victory.

The result also gave India valuable points in the World Test Championship 2025–27 standings. India moved to fifth in the table with a points percentage of 53.33 after the Galle Test.

Second Test in Colombo

The second Test is scheduled to begin on August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. India need to avoid defeat to secure the series, while Sri Lanka must win to make the series 1–1.

The Colombo Test is therefore the immediate next entry in the sri lanka national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline. A Sri Lankan victory would force a series draw, while an Indian win would give the visitors a 2–0 result.

1979–1999: The Early Years

India and Sri Lanka first met in men’s international cricket at the 1979 Cricket World Cup in Manchester. Sri Lanka won the match by 47 runs after scoring 238 and bowling India out for 191.

Sri Lanka later gained Test status and played their first Test in 1982. This allowed the two teams to build a much larger record across Test and limited-overs cricket.

The 1990s produced several important World Cup meetings. India defeated Sri Lanka at the 1992 World Cup, but Sri Lanka won their famous 1996 World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens.

Sri Lanka scored 251/8 before India’s innings collapsed. The match was eventually awarded to Sri Lanka after crowd disturbances prevented play from continuing. Sri Lanka went on to win the World Cup, securing their first men’s world title.

India responded at the 1999 World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka by 157 runs at Taunton.

2000–2010: Regular Meetings and New Stars

The 2000s saw India and Sri Lanka become regular opponents in bilateral cricket and major international tournaments.

India had several established stars during this period, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni. Sri Lanka also had a strong group led by Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

At the 2007 World Cup, Sri Lanka defeated India in the group stage. The result contributed to India’s early exit from the tournament, while Sri Lanka progressed to the final, where Australia won.

The period also marked the emergence of Dhoni as a major figure in Indian limited-overs cricket. Sri Lanka’s experienced core, meanwhile, remained central to the team’s success in both ODIs and Tests.

2011–2017: World Cup Final and India’s Strong Run

The 2011 World Cup final brought the teams together in Mumbai. Sri Lanka scored 274/6, with Mahela Jayawardene making an unbeaten 103.

India lost wickets of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early in the chase, but Gautam Gambhir scored 97. MS Dhoni then produced an unbeaten 91 and finished the match with a six. India won by six wickets and claimed their second men’s World Cup title.

The teams met again in an ICC final at the 2014 T20 World Cup. India scored 130/4, led by Virat Kohli’s 77. Sri Lanka chased the target with six wickets remaining, with Kumar Sangakkara finishing unbeaten on 52.

India then enjoyed an outstanding tour of Sri Lanka in 2017. They won all three Tests, all five ODIs and the only T20I.

The 2017 tour remains one of India’s most complete performances in the India vs Sri Lanka head-to-head record.

2021–2024: Different Results Across Formats

The results became more mixed in the following years. In 2021, India won the ODI series in Sri Lanka 2–1, while Sri Lanka won the T20I series by the same margin.

In 2022, Sri Lanka toured India for three T20Is and two Tests. India won the T20I series 3–0 and the Test series 2–0.

The 2023 Asia Cup final produced another one-sided result. India dismissed Sri Lanka for just 50, with Mohammed Siraj taking six wickets, before completing the chase without losing a wicket.

India also defeated Sri Lanka by 302 runs at the 2023 ODI World Cup. India scored 357/8 before bowling Sri Lanka out for 55.

The 2024 tour produced contrasting results. India won the three-match T20I series 3–0, while Sri Lanka won the ODI series 2–0 after the opening match ended in a tie. The ODI series was Sri Lanka’s first bilateral ODI series win over India since 1997.

This period shows why the India vs Sri Lanka cricket history looks different depending on the format. India have generally held the stronger overall record, but Sri Lanka have continued to produce important wins.

India vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head Record

The India vs Sri Lanka head-to-head record covers hundreds of international matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. India currently have more wins in all three formats.

The Test figures include India’s latest win in Galle. The ODI record also shows a clear advantage for India, although Sri Lanka’s 2–0 ODI series win in 2024 remains one of their more recent successes.

T20Is have produced a closer contest than the other formats, but India still have a clear advantage in the overall record.

Memorable India vs Sri Lanka Matches

1979 World Cup

Sri Lanka won the first men’s international meeting between the teams by 47 runs in Manchester.

1996 World Cup Semi-Final

Sri Lanka won the Eden Gardens semi-final after India’s innings collapsed and crowd disturbances prevented the match from continuing normally.

2011 World Cup Final

India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets after Gambhir scored 97 and Dhoni made an unbeaten 91.

2014 T20 World Cup Final

Sri Lanka defeated India by six wickets to win their first men’s T20 World Cup title.

2023 Asia Cup Final

India bowled Sri Lanka out for 50 and reached the target without losing a wicket.

2026 Galle Test

India won the latest Test by 165 runs, with Padikkal scoring 167 and Suthar taking 10 wickets.

Key Players in India vs Sri Lanka Cricket

Several generations of players have shaped this contest. India’s most notable names include Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah.

Sri Lanka’s history includes major figures such as Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

In the current Test series, India are led by Shubman Gill, with players such as KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Devdutt Padikkal in the squad.

Sri Lanka are led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with Kamindu Mendis among the key players in the current setup.

Who won the 2014 T20 World Cup final?

Sri Lanka defeated India by six wickets.

Who won the 2024 India vs Sri Lanka ODI series?

Sri Lanka won the three-match series 2–0 after the first match ended in a tie.

Who won the 2024 India vs Sri Lanka T20I series?

India won the three-match series 3–0.

Why is the 2026 Test series important?

The two Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27, so the results contribute to both teams’ WTC campaigns.

Wrapping Up

The sri lanka national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline covers more than four decades of international cricket, beginning with Sri Lanka’s 47-run victory in 1979 and continuing through World Cup finals, Asia Cup matches and bilateral series.

India have the stronger overall record across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, but Sri Lanka have produced several important victories of their own, including the 1996 World Cup semi-final, 2014 T20 World Cup final and 2024 ODI series.

The latest chapter is still underway. India lead the 2026 India vs Sri Lanka Test series 1–0 after winning in Galle, with the second Test scheduled for August 23–27 in Colombo. The result will determine whether India complete a 2–0 series win or Sri Lanka level the contest at 1–1.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When did India and Sri Lanka first play international cricket?

India and Sri Lanka first met at the 1979 World Cup in Manchester. Sri Lanka won by 47 runs.

Q2. Who is leading the India vs Sri Lanka Test series in 2026?

India lead 1–0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 165 runs.

Q3. When is the second India vs Sri Lanka Test in 2026?

The second Test is scheduled for August 23–27, 2026, at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

Q4. Who won the first India vs Sri Lanka Test in 2026?

India won by 165 runs. Devdutt Padikkal scored 167, while Manav Suthar took 10 wickets.

Q5. Who won the 2011 India vs Sri Lanka World Cup final?

India won by six wickets in Mumbai. MS Dhoni scored an unbeaten 91.