The first India vs Sri Lanka was played in 1979. The India vs Sri Lanka rivalry is too old. Both teams have involved in so many high voltage games. Their games do not carry the same reputation as the Ashes and the India-Pakistan clash but India vs Sri Lanka always produce some special moments. Today we are going to talk about five interesting India vs Sri Lanka games.
If we look head to head record, India has been phenomenal in all three formats. But Sri Lanka to have produced so many memorable games.
Here’s out list of Top-5 India vs Sri Lanka Limited Overs matches
India vs Sri Lanka
Asia Cup Final, 2008
In 2008, it was India vs Sri Lanka in the all important Asia Cup final. Both India and Sri Lanka played brilliantly throughout the tournament surpassing Pakistan, Hong Kong ,Bangladesh and UAE. In the league stages of the tournament, India crushed Sri Lanka by chasing a mammoth total of 308.
In the India vs Sri Lanka final, Sri Lanka scored 273 runs in the first inning. Sanath Jayasuriya scored a century. The target was a decent one but India was a batting heavy side. India were off to a blistering start, India scored 70 runs in the first 9 overs. Out of the first 70 runs ,Virendra Sehwag scored 60 of them.
In the 10th over of the Indian innings, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene introduced his mystery spinner Ajanta Mendis. First he got rid of Virendra Sehwag. After that all the Indian batters surrendered in front of Ajanta Mendis. Ajanta Mendis picked up 6 wickets and just conceded 13 runs in his 8 overs. The Indian team was bowled out for 173 in 40 overs and Sri Lankan team became the new Asian champions.
India vs Sri Lanka
Rajkot ,2009
The first match of the India vs Sri Lanka ODI series to place at Rajkot. The venue is famous for producing high scoring matches . India won the toss and elected to bat first in the first ODI. The opening partnership between Virendra Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar added 153 runs in 117 balls.
Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored half centuries. Virendra Sehwag was the star in the Indian innings, he scored 146 runs in 102 deliveries which included six sixes and 17 fours. India scored a hug total of 414 with the loss of 7 wickets.
Just like Indian openers ,Sri Lankan opening pair also got off to a fine start. India got their first break through in the 24th over of the Sri Lankan inning while the opening pair added 188. Kumar Sangakara took his side past 300 with a loss of only one wicket.
In the last 14 overs shrilanka required 100 runs and were on the verge to create history. But Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh took two crucial wickets in two consecutive overs. It was a very close encounter. Sri Lankan team lost their way and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Sri Lanka team just fell short of 3 runs. More than 800 runs were scored in this game.
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India vs Sri Lanka
World T20 Final , 2014
in the recent past Sri Lanka in the recent past Sri Lanka had to reach the finals of the ICC events. In the 2007 world cup final ,they lost to Australia. After four years in 2011 ,they again lost to India in the all important world cup final. They also reached the finals of the World T20 ,2009.
In the 2014 world T20 final, it was India vs Sri Lanka game. The Indian side was unbeaten through out the tournament. After losing the toss India batted first. Virat Kohli scored 77 runs off 58 deliveries and took India to a decent score . Kohli was in supreme touch throughout the tournament and he was adjusted as the man of the tournament. Whereas Yuvraj Singh played inning different from his character. He scored just 11 runs in 21 balls.
India fought hard to win the game but Sri Lanka took it away. Thisara Perera hit a six to seal the chase and Sri Lanka became the first time World T20 Champion.
India vs Sri Lanka
World Cup semi final, 1996
The 1996 edition of the ODI World Cup was hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan. India were the favourites to win the tournament. The Sri Lankan team was regarded as the underdogs.
It was India vs Sri Lanka game at the Eden Gardens stadium. Sri Lanka lost the toss and was forced to bat first. Javagal Srinath picked up three quick wickets. Arvind De Silva and Roshan Mahanama , brought Sri Lanka back into the game. Sri Lanka scored 251 runs at the loss of 8 wickets.
Navjot Singh Sidhu got out cheaply but Sachin stood at one end and scored brilliant 65 runs before he was stumped by Sanath Jayasuriya. India work 9842 but the team was crumbled to 120 for 8. The audience in the stadium put stands on fire. India vs Sri Lanka game was called off by the empires and the Sri Lankan team were declared the winners.
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India vs Sri Lanka
World Cup Final,2011
The Most iconic India vs Sri Lanka was the world cup final of 2011. The final was played in Wankede Stadium, Mumbai .Sri Lanka after win the toss and elected to bat first in the all important final. India started brilliantly with the ball in the final game but Mahela Jayawardene took the control from Indian team. Mahela scored 103 runs. Sri Lanka scored 274 runs.
Malinga was lethal in the first few overs and got rid of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. Gautam Gambhir along with Virat Kohli builder recent partnership and then MS Dhoni finish the things off in style with the 6 over long off. The Indian team defeated the world cup after 28 years and became the first team to win World Cup on home soil.
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