History of India v Sri Lanka T20I rivalry

India and Sri Lanka have shared a deep bond in international cricket and the number of times they face each other annually is a sublime proof. The cricketing pals are all set to lock horns with each other in a short 3-match T20 series, which would closely be followed by the Asia Cup also to be played in the T20 format.

The tour begins at Pune on 9th February, from where the teams head to Ranchi to play the second match on 12th February and then the final T20 which is scheduled to take place in Visakhapatnam on February 14.

The defending champions Sri Lanka would be looking to gain some good practice before they come here back for the World T20. India would be glad to have a fair bit of T20 matches and also be looking to avenge their WT20 2014 finals defeat.

Both the teams share an equal head to head against one another with 3 wins each. Here we go through a flashback of the T20 international matches played between India and Sri Lanka.

1. Sri Lanka v India, Colombo, 2009:

The first ever T20I between both the teams was a thrilling affair. After choosing to bat first, Dilshan and Jayasuriya provided a kickstart to the Sri Lankan innings with 53 runs in the first five overs. However, the Indian spinners pegged them back into the game though Sri Lanka still went on to post a good total of 171/4.

India lost both their openers early before both Yuvraj and Raina took on. But as soon as these two batsmen got out, it triggered a batting collapse as India fell apart from 81/2 to 115/7. With 57 runs required from 29 balls, an Indian victory seemed unlikely. However, the Pathan brothers batted beautifully and took India home with 4 balls to spare. Yusuf Pathan was the man of the match for his effort of 33 (16) & 2/23 with the ball.

2. India v Sri Lanka, Nagpur, 2009:

Having been put on to bat, Sri Lanka blazed their way to a mammoth total of 215/5 riding on a blazing innings by Sangakkara with 78 runs on 37 balls and a 27-ball 40 by Kapugedera.

India began with a bang as they raced on to 88/1 in just 7 overs. However as soon as Gambhir who scored an exceptional 55 from 26 balls got out, India kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the match slipped away from their hands. Kumar Sangakkara was the best batsman scoring 78 off 37 and was awarded the Man of the match.

3. India v Sri Lanka, Mohali, 2009:

After losing an early wicket in the form of Dilshan, Jayasuriya and Sangakkara blasted their way to a partnership of 81 runs from just 39 balls. Later, Angelo Mathews ran a riot on the Indian bowlers by smashing 26 (13) to propel the Sri Lankan total to 206/4.

India began firmly with Sehwag leading the charge by scoring a quick-fire 64 from 36 balls. After he got out, Yuvraj started taking the bowlers to the cleaners as he scored an outstanding 60* off just 25 balls with Dhoni 46 (28) providing good support. India went on to chase the target with 5 balls to spare. Yuvi was the man of the match for his 60 and 3/23.

4. India v Sri Lanka, St Lucia, 2010 WT20:

In the first ever WT20 game between them, both the teams needed a victory to qualify for the semis. While India needed to win by a margin of 20 or more runs, Sri Lanka’s fate depended on Australia winning their last game.

With 119/2 from 14 overs, India looked good enough for 180. However, some superb death bowling by Sri Lankan pacers put India on the backfoot as they could only manage 163/4 with Raina top-scoring 63 (47).

The Sri Lankans were off to a poor start as they lost both their openers in 2 overs with just 6 runs on the board. However Sangakkara along with Dilshan somehow revived Sri Lanka. With 80 runs required from 7 overs, it seemed difficult for Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, Mathews and Kapugedera changed their gears and brought down the equation. In the end, Sri Lanka managed to sneak a win off the last ball. Mathews was awarded MoM for his batting effort.

5. India v Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2012:

Having lost the toss and put in to bat, India after losing Gambhir recovered well with Kohli launching an attack on the Sri Lankan bowlers. However, other batsmen failed as India weren’t able to gallop and thus settled for 155/3 in their quota of 20 overs.

Sri Lanka never looked in course of chasing the target as Irfan Pathan stifled up their top order. The Sri Lankan batsmen kept falling apart like a pack of cards. Later, Dinda went on to clear the lower order with his best match figures of 4/19 as India achieved a quite satisfactory 39-run win in the end. Irfan Pathan won the man of the match for his superb bowling spell which saw him return with figures of 3/27 in his 4 overs.

6. India v Sri Lanka, Dhaka, 2014 WT20 final:

In the final showdown of World T20 2014, India were asked to bat first. Kohli continued the magnificent form he had been in right through the tournament with an enthralling half century. With 111/2 in 16 overs and Kohli going bonkers, India looked set for a score in excess of 160. However, in a dramatic end, Yuvraj Singh’s innings of 11 (21) killed all the momentum as Sri Lanka bowled ferociously in the death to restrict India for a below par score of 130/4 in 20 overs. India’s prime T20 batsman Raina was left lurking in the dugout.

Sri Lanka juggled their start and seemed to be in a spot of bother at 78/4 in 13 overs. However Sangakkara playing his last T20 match put up a spectacular batting performance with 52 runs from 35 balls and led Sri Lanka to their first ever WT20 title. Sanga was also the man of the match of the big final.

By Hitman Cricket