India and Sri Lanka, the two Asian giants, are once again set to lock horns in the limited overs format on Sunday. The Test series was terribly one sided where India have become almost unbeatable in familiar conditions, Sri Lanka’s woes are increasing every day. Though, the One Day series should come as a huge relief for the fans as they can hope for some keenly contested matches.

Both the sub-continent teams have come across each other number of times and they have played so many bilateral series between them. Since the 21st century has commenced, the two teams have played a lot of matches against each other. However, a strong team can be formed which will include the legends from both these teams across ODI bilateral series till date.

The best players have been selected on the basis of their performances and impact in series when only India and Sri Lanka have played. Here CricTracker picks the all time best playing XI from the Asian powerhouses:

Openers (Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar)

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Sanath-Jayasuriya-plays-a-stroke-GettyImages-95407438.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-48135" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Sanath-Jayasuriya-plays-a-stroke-GettyImages-95407438.jpg" alt="cricket world today" width="640" height="455" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48135" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya. (Photo by RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Cricket fans all over the world would have loved to watch these stalwarts batting together, albeit in International cricket. These two have already opened the innings for their IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians before.

Sanath Jayasuriya was the reason teams started to attack in the first 15 overs when there were fielding restrictions. He used to be fearless and has thumped the bowlers when in prime form. India bowlers too have faced the heat as he has scored 7 centuries against India in One Day Internationals. All his centuries have come at a strike rate of around 100.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sachin-Tendulkar-celebrates-his-epic-knock-of-200-not-out-GettyImages.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-49308" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-celebrates-his-epic-knock-of-200-not-out-GettyImages.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar Indian cricketers" width="640" height="388" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-49308" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Qamar Sibtain/India Today Group/Getty Images)</figcaption>

None of the best playing XIs would form without the little master Sachin Tendulkar. He played cricket for around two and a half decades and achieved everything. He scored runs in abundance against all the cricketing nations and Sri Lanka has not missed either. He plundered all their bowlers including the legendary Murali and has as many as 8 centuries against them.

So the deadly combination of Sanath and Sachin will open the innings which would give nightmares to any bowling attack.

Middle Order (Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli, Aravinda de Silva, MS Dhoni (C) (wk))

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/01/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Kumar-Sangakkara-GettyImages.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-51089" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Kumar-Sangakkara-GettyImages.jpg" alt="Kumar Sangakkara" width="640" height="471" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51089" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The left handed stylish batsman Kumar Sangakkara walks into the team when it comes to the no.3 position in any batting line up. The wicketkeeper batsman has been retired from all forms of cricket in 2015 but has been plundering runs in county cricket and T20 leagues. Sangakkara and Jayawardene were the core of the Sri Lanka line up for more than a decade. Sangakkara had a special liking to the Indian bowlers and he has made a mockery of their bowling when he used to be in the mood.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-151551" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-12.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli News" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151551" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli of India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Virat Kohli has started his career against Sri Lanka and is their nemesis since then. Very few must have forgotten his 133* at Bellerive Oval in Hobart when he bludgeoned the best in the business, Malinga, all over the park. The current Indian captain has been part of many bilateral series and has played in most of them and needless to say, has had an impact in each of the series. He would be hoping to continue the dominance over them in the upcoming series.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Aravinda-De-Silva.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-18487" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Aravinda-De-Silva.jpg" alt="Aravinda de Silva" width="594" height="404" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18487" class="wp-caption-text">Aravinda de Silva. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Aravinda de Silva is another Sri Lankan player who has played a key role in many bilateral series against India, mostly in 90s. In 1997 when India toured Sri Lanka, De Silva plundered runs at an average of 70.66 and strike rate of 92.57 and continued his happy run against them for a couple of years. The centurion in the final of 1996 World Cup was also the highest run-getter in a couple of series against India. Sri Lanka are surely missing their best middle order player in this modern era.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-87993" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="600" height="420" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">Mahendra Singh Dhoni. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Alike Kohli, Dhoni too came into limelight in a series against Sri Lanka. The bowlers from the island nation might still be feeling the scars of that innings of 183* when he murdered their bowling. Dhoni has stolen many wins from the jaws of the defeat for India against Sri Lanka, the famous one being the last over thriller in Port of Spain. The former captain won it for his country when Sri Lanka were just one wicket away in the final. He would be the captain and the wicketkeeper of this playing XI solely because of the number of series India has won under him.

Spinners (Muttiah Muralitharan, Anil Kumble)

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Muttiah-Muralitharan-ODI-2011-World-Cup.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-43613" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Muttiah-Muralitharan-ODI-2011-World-Cup.jpg" alt="Muttiah Muralitharan" width="700" height="463" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-43613" class="wp-caption-text">Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo Source: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

These two legendary bowlers bowling in tandem in One Day International could be a pleasant sight for any captain. It would have been so tough to score if this had really happened that sides might have given up scoring runs in that period. The combination of the offie and the leggie all over the world would have scared batsmen every now and then.

Muralitharan has a career best bowling performance 7/30 against India. On any surface, he would make the ball talk and like the other batsmen in the world, Indians too struggled him to pick. Somehow, though the veteran struggled when they toured India. His contribution in Sri Lanka’s victories can’t be ignored as Sri Lanka are yet to find an able replacement for him across all the formats.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/09/Anil-Kumble-bowling.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-87683" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Anil-Kumble-bowling.jpg" alt="Anil Kumble" width="600" height="410" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87683" class="wp-caption-text">Anil Kumble. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Anil Kumble, the former India head coach and a legendary leg spinner will partner Murali in the spin bowling department. The owner of 337 ODI wickets was absolutely unplayable when on song. His variation would befuddle the best batsmen in the world and he did the same with Sri Lankan batsmen. Anil Kumble played ODI cricket for around 17 years and ruled the format like a king.

Pacers (Chaminda Vaas, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga)

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Chaminda-Vaas.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-169450" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Chaminda-Vaas.jpg" alt="Chaminda Vaas" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-169450" class="wp-caption-text">Chaminda Vaas. (Photo by Santosh Harhare/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)</figcaption>

The trio of the pace bowling has every right to be in this list as they are the best bowlers for their country by some distance. The new ball attack of Vaas and Zaheer and Malinga as the first change bowler would rarely have given the batsmen a chance to play freely.

Chaminda Vaas, the left arm is the best bowler Sri Lanka have ever produced. He was currently the bowling coach of Sri Lankan Test team in the Test series against India. Vaas has played in humungous 322 ODIs and has scalped 400 wickets with his best being 8/19. Again he has made an impact whenever the two sides (India and Sri Lanka) have faced each other. Sri Lanka cricket need him badly now more than ever and he would do wonders if given an opportunity to mentor their current crop of bowlers.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Indian-player-Zaheer-Khan-GettyImages-153255474.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36615" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indian-player-Zaheer-Khan-GettyImages-153255474.jpg" alt="spells by Zaheer Khan" width="594" height="398" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-36615" class="wp-caption-text">Zaheer Khan. (Photo Source: Hindustan Times via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Zaheer Khan, the best bowler for India, was the nightmare for the left handed batsman. He dismissed Graeme Smith almost every time they faced. Very few must have forgotten the delivery he bowled to Upul Tharanga in the World Cup final in 2011. Tharanga had to play at that delivery which straightened a touch after pitching and went straight to first slip. The legendary fast bowler has picked 282 wickets in 50 over format with his best being 5/42.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/02/Lasith-Malinga-of-Sri-Lanka-celebrates.png"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-56009" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Lasith-Malinga-of-Sri-Lanka-celebrates.png" alt="Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka celebrates" width="632" height="432" sizes="(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-56009" class="wp-caption-text">Lasith Malinga. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Lasith Malinga is still going great guns in this format and he is still the vital cog of their bowling attack. His toe crushing yorkers are bound to take wickets. India have played him so cautiously that even the final of 2011 world cup, Yuvraj played out a maiden over off him in 46th over of the chase. Malinga would surely like to get back to his best in the upcoming ODI series.

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Mahela-Jayawardene-World-Cup-2011.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-127821" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mahela-Jayawardene-World-Cup-2011.jpg" alt="Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka" width="600" height="453" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-127821" class="wp-caption-text">Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Unfortunately, this stylish batsman couldn’t make it to the XI but he is the best player for Sri Lanka along with Sangakkara. He has shouldered the responsibility of the Sri Lankan middle order over the years and has done extremely well. A brilliant century against India in the mega finale at Wankhede was the best innings he would have ever played. He made an impact in almost all the bilateral series he played against India.

The aforementioned players are the best players India and Sri Lanka have ever produced. Few greats are still missing but we can only have 11 players in the team and this team would surely win most of the games against any opposition.

India and Sri Lanka, the two Asian giants, are once again set to lock horns in the limited overs format on Sunday. The Test series was terribly one sided where India have become almost unbeatable in familiar conditions, Sri Lanka’s woes are increasing every day. Though, the One Day series should come as a huge relief for the fans as they can hope for some keenly contested matches.
Both the sub-continent teams have come across each other number of times and they have played so many bilateral series between them. Since the 21st century has commenced, the two teams have played a lot of matches against each other. However, a strong team can be formed which will include the legends from both these teams across ODI bilateral series till date.
The best players have been selected on the basis of their performances and impact in series when only India and Sri Lanka have played.&nbsp;Here CricTracker picks the all time best playing XI from the Asian powerhouses:
<h3>Openers (Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_48135" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48135" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Sanath-Jayasuriya-plays-a-stroke-GettyImages-95407438.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-48135" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Sanath-Jayasuriya-plays-a-stroke-GettyImages-95407438.jpg" alt="cricket world today" width="640" height="455" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48135" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya.&nbsp;(Photo by RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Cricket fans all over the world would have loved to watch these stalwarts batting together, albeit in International cricket. These two have already opened the innings for their IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians before.
Sanath Jayasuriya was the reason teams started to attack in the first 15 overs when there were fielding restrictions. He used to be fearless and has thumped the bowlers when in prime form. India bowlers too have faced the heat as he has scored 7 centuries against India in One Day Internationals. All his centuries have come at a strike rate of around 100.
<figure id="attachment_49308" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-49308" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sachin-Tendulkar-celebrates-his-epic-knock-of-200-not-out-GettyImages.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-49308" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-celebrates-his-epic-knock-of-200-not-out-GettyImages.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar Indian cricketers" width="640" height="388" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-49308" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Qamar Sibtain/India Today Group/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
None of the best playing XIs would form without the little master Sachin Tendulkar. He played cricket for around two and a half decades and achieved everything. He scored runs in abundance against all the cricketing nations and Sri Lanka has not missed either. He plundered all their bowlers including the legendary Murali and has as many as 8 centuries against them.
So the deadly combination of Sanath and Sachin will open the innings which would give nightmares to any bowling attack.
<h3>Middle Order (Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli, Aravinda de Silva, MS Dhoni (C) (wk))</h3>
<figure id="attachment_51089" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51089" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/01/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Kumar-Sangakkara-GettyImages.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-51089" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Kumar-Sangakkara-GettyImages.jpg" alt="Kumar Sangakkara" width="640" height="471" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51089" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The left handed stylish batsman Kumar Sangakkara walks into the team when it comes to the no.3 position in any batting line up. The wicketkeeper batsman has been retired from all forms of cricket in 2015 but has been plundering runs in county cricket and T20 leagues. Sangakkara and Jayawardene were the core of the Sri Lanka line up for more than a decade. Sangakkara had a special liking to the Indian bowlers and he has made a mockery of their bowling when he used to be in the mood.
<figure id="attachment_151551" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-151551" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-12.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-151551" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-12.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli News" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151551" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli of India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Virat Kohli has started his career against Sri Lanka and is their nemesis since then. Very few must have forgotten his 133* at Bellerive Oval in Hobart when he bludgeoned the best in the business, Malinga, all over the park. The current Indian captain has been part of many bilateral series and has played in most of them and needless to say, has had an impact in each of the series. He would be hoping to continue the dominance over them in the upcoming series.
<figure id="attachment_18487" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-18487" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Aravinda-De-Silva.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-18487" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Aravinda-De-Silva.jpg" alt="Aravinda de Silva" width="594" height="404" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18487" class="wp-caption-text">Aravinda de Silva. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Aravinda de Silva is another Sri Lankan player who has played a key role in many bilateral series against India, mostly in 90s. In 1997 when India toured Sri Lanka, De Silva plundered runs at an average of 70.66 and strike rate of 92.57 and continued his happy run against them for a couple of years. The centurion in the final of 1996 World Cup was also the highest run-getter in a couple of series against India. Sri Lanka are surely missing their best middle order player in this modern era.
<figure id="attachment_87993" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-87993" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="600" height="420" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">Mahendra Singh Dhoni. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Alike Kohli, Dhoni too came into limelight in a series against Sri Lanka. The bowlers from the island nation might still be feeling the scars of that innings of 183* when he murdered their bowling. Dhoni has stolen many wins from the jaws of the defeat for India against Sri Lanka, the famous one being the last over thriller in Port of Spain. The former captain won it for his country when Sri Lanka were just one wicket away in the final. He would be the captain and the wicketkeeper of this playing XI solely because of the number of series India has won under him.
<h3>Spinners (Muttiah Muralitharan, Anil Kumble)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_43613" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-43613" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Muttiah-Muralitharan-ODI-2011-World-Cup.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-43613" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Muttiah-Muralitharan-ODI-2011-World-Cup.jpg" alt="Muttiah Muralitharan" width="700" height="463" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-43613" class="wp-caption-text">Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo Source: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
These two legendary bowlers bowling in tandem in One Day International could be a pleasant sight for any captain. It would have been so tough to score if this had really happened that sides might have given up scoring runs in that period. The combination of the offie and the leggie all over the world would have scared batsmen every now and then.
Muralitharan has a career best bowling performance 7/30 against India. On any surface, he would make the ball talk and like the other batsmen in the world, Indians too struggled him to pick. Somehow, though the veteran struggled when they toured India. His contribution in Sri Lanka’s victories can’t be ignored as Sri Lanka are yet to find an able replacement for him across all the formats.
<figure id="attachment_87683" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87683" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/09/Anil-Kumble-bowling.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-87683" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Anil-Kumble-bowling.jpg" alt="Anil Kumble" width="600" height="410" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87683" class="wp-caption-text">Anil Kumble. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Anil Kumble, the former India head coach and a legendary leg spinner will partner Murali in the spin bowling department. The owner of 337 ODI wickets was absolutely unplayable when on song. His variation would befuddle the best batsmen in the world and he did the same with Sri Lankan batsmen. Anil Kumble played ODI cricket for around 17 years and ruled the format like a king.
<h3>Pacers (Chaminda Vaas, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_169450" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-169450" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Chaminda-Vaas.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-169450" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Chaminda-Vaas.jpg" alt="Chaminda Vaas" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-169450" class="wp-caption-text">Chaminda Vaas. (Photo by Santosh Harhare/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The trio of the pace bowling has every right to be in this list as they are the best bowlers for their country by some distance. The new ball attack of Vaas and Zaheer and Malinga as the first change bowler would rarely have given the batsmen a chance to play freely.
Chaminda Vaas, the left arm is the best bowler Sri Lanka have ever produced. He was currently the bowling coach of Sri Lankan Test team in the Test series against India. Vaas has played in humungous 322 ODIs and has scalped 400 wickets with his best being 8/19. Again he has made an impact whenever the two sides (India and Sri Lanka) have faced each other. Sri Lanka cricket need him badly now more than ever and he would do wonders if given an opportunity to mentor their current crop of bowlers.
<figure id="attachment_36615" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-36615" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Indian-player-Zaheer-Khan-GettyImages-153255474.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-36615" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indian-player-Zaheer-Khan-GettyImages-153255474.jpg" alt="spells by Zaheer Khan" width="594" height="398" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-36615" class="wp-caption-text">Zaheer Khan. (Photo Source: Hindustan Times via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Zaheer Khan, the best bowler for India, was the nightmare for the left handed batsman. He dismissed Graeme Smith almost every time they faced. Very few must have forgotten the delivery he bowled to Upul Tharanga in the World Cup final in 2011. Tharanga had to play at that delivery which straightened a touch after pitching and went straight to first slip. The legendary fast bowler has picked 282 wickets in 50 over format with his best being 5/42.
<figure id="attachment_56009" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-56009" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/02/Lasith-Malinga-of-Sri-Lanka-celebrates.png"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-56009" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Lasith-Malinga-of-Sri-Lanka-celebrates.png" alt="Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka celebrates" width="632" height="432" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-56009" class="wp-caption-text">Lasith Malinga. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Lasith Malinga is still going great guns in this format and he is still the vital cog of their bowling attack. His toe crushing yorkers are bound to take wickets. India have played him so cautiously that even the final of 2011 world cup, Yuvraj played out a maiden over off him in 46th over of the chase. Malinga would surely like to get back to his best in the upcoming ODI series.
<h3>12th Man (Mahela Jayawardene)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_127821" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-127821" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Mahela-Jayawardene-World-Cup-2011.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-127821" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mahela-Jayawardene-World-Cup-2011.jpg" alt="Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka" width="600" height="453" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-127821" class="wp-caption-text">Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Unfortunately, this stylish batsman couldn’t make it to the XI but he is the best player for Sri Lanka along with Sangakkara. He has shouldered the responsibility of the Sri Lankan middle order over the years and has done extremely well. A brilliant century against India in the mega finale at Wankhede was the best innings he would have ever played. He made an impact in almost all the bilateral series he played against India.
The aforementioned players are the best players India and Sri Lanka have ever produced. Few greats are still missing but we can only have 11 players in the team and this team would surely win most of the games against any opposition.

India and Sri Lanka, the two Asian giants, are once again set to lock horns in the limited overs format on Sunday. The Test series was terribly one sided where India have become almost unbeatable in familiar conditions, Sri Lanka’s woes are increasing every day. Though, the One Day series should come as a huge relief for the fans as they can hope for some keenly contested matches.
Both the sub-continent teams have come across each other number of times and they have played so many bilateral series between them. Since the 21st century has commenced, the two teams have played a lot of matches against each other. However, a strong team can be formed which will include the legends from both these teams across ODI bilateral series till date.
The best players have been selected on the basis of their performances and impact in series when only India and Sri Lanka have played. Here CricTracker picks the all time best playing XI from the Asian powerhouses:
<h3>Openers (Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_48135" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-48135" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Sanath-Jayasuriya-plays-a-stroke-GettyImages-95407438.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-48135" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Sanath-Jayasuriya-plays-a-stroke-GettyImages-95407438.jpg" alt="cricket world today" width="640" height="455" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-48135" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya. (Photo by RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Cricket fans all over the world would have loved to watch these stalwarts batting together, albeit in International cricket. These two have already opened the innings for their IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians before.
Sanath Jayasuriya was the reason teams started to attack in the first 15 overs when there were fielding restrictions. He used to be fearless and has thumped the bowlers when in prime form. India bowlers too have faced the heat as he has scored 7 centuries against India in One Day Internationals. All his centuries have come at a strike rate of around 100.
<figure id="attachment_49308" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-49308" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sachin-Tendulkar-celebrates-his-epic-knock-of-200-not-out-GettyImages.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-49308" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-celebrates-his-epic-knock-of-200-not-out-GettyImages.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar Indian cricketers" width="640" height="388" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-49308" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Qamar Sibtain/India Today Group/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
None of the best playing XIs would form without the little master Sachin Tendulkar. He played cricket for around two and a half decades and achieved everything. He scored runs in abundance against all the cricketing nations and Sri Lanka has not missed either. He plundered all their bowlers including the legendary Murali and has as many as 8 centuries against them.
So the deadly combination of Sanath and Sachin will open the innings which would give nightmares to any bowling attack.
<h3>Middle Order (Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli, Aravinda de Silva, MS Dhoni (C) (wk))</h3>
<figure id="attachment_51089" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51089" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/01/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Kumar-Sangakkara-GettyImages.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-51089" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Kumar-Sangakkara-GettyImages.jpg" alt="Kumar Sangakkara" width="640" height="471" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51089" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The left handed stylish batsman Kumar Sangakkara walks into the team when it comes to the no.3 position in any batting line up. The wicketkeeper batsman has been retired from all forms of cricket in 2015 but has been plundering runs in county cricket and T20 leagues. Sangakkara and Jayawardene were the core of the Sri Lanka line up for more than a decade. Sangakkara had a special liking to the Indian bowlers and he has made a mockery of their bowling when he used to be in the mood.
<figure id="attachment_151551" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-151551" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-12.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-151551" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-12.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli News" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151551" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli of India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Virat Kohli has started his career against Sri Lanka and is their nemesis since then. Very few must have forgotten his 133* at Bellerive Oval in Hobart when he bludgeoned the best in the business, Malinga, all over the park. The current Indian captain has been part of many bilateral series and has played in most of them and needless to say, has had an impact in each of the series. He would be hoping to continue the dominance over them in the upcoming series.
<figure id="attachment_18487" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-18487" style="width: 594px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/05/Aravinda-De-Silva.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-18487" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Aravinda-De-Silva.jpg" alt="Aravinda de Silva" width="594" height="404" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-18487" class="wp-caption-text">Aravinda de Silva. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Aravinda de Silva is another Sri Lankan player who has played a key role in many bilateral series against India, mostly in 90s. In 1997 when India toured Sri Lanka, De Silva plundered runs at an average of 70.66 and strike rate of 92.57 and continued his happy run against them for a couple of years. The centurion in the final of 1996 World Cup was also the highest run-getter in a couple of series against India. Sri Lanka are surely missing their best middle order player in this modern era.
<figure id="attachment_87993" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87993" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-87993" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="600" height="420" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">Mahendra Singh Dhoni. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Alike Kohli, Dhoni too came into limelight in a series against Sri Lanka. The bowlers from the island nation might still be feeling the scars of that innings of 183* when he murdered their bowling. Dhoni has stolen many wins from the jaws of the defeat for India against Sri Lanka, the famous one being the last over thriller in Port of Spain. The former captain won it for his country when Sri Lanka were just one wicket away in the final. He would be the captain and the wicketkeeper of this playing XI solely because of the number of series India has won under him.
<h3>Spinners (Muttiah Muralitharan, Anil Kumble)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_43613" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-43613" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Muttiah-Muralitharan-ODI-2011-World-Cup.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-43613" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Muttiah-Muralitharan-ODI-2011-World-Cup.jpg" alt="Muttiah Muralitharan" width="700" height="463" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-43613" class="wp-caption-text">Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo Source: WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
These two legendary bowlers bowling in tandem in One Day International could be a pleasant sight for any captain. It would have been so tough to score if this had really happened that sides might have given up scoring runs in that period. The combination of the offie and the leggie all over the world would have scared batsmen every now and then.
Muralitharan has a career best bowling performance 7/30 against India. On any surface, he would make the ball talk and like the other batsmen in the world, Indians too struggled him to pick. Somehow, though the veteran struggled when they toured India. His contribution in Sri Lanka’s victories can’t be ignored as Sri Lanka are yet to find an able replacement for him across all the formats.
<figure id="attachment_87683" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87683" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/09/Anil-Kumble-bowling.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-87683" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Anil-Kumble-bowling.jpg" alt="Anil Kumble" width="600" height="410" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87683" class="wp-caption-text">Anil Kumble. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Anil Kumble, the former India head coach and a legendary leg spinner will partner Murali in the spin bowling department. The owner of 337 ODI wickets was absolutely unplayable when on song. His variation would befuddle the best batsmen in the world and he did the same with Sri Lankan batsmen. Anil Kumble played ODI cricket for around 17 years and ruled the format like a king.
<h3>Pacers (Chaminda Vaas, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_169450" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-169450" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Chaminda-Vaas.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-169450" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Chaminda-Vaas.jpg" alt="Chaminda Vaas" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-169450" class="wp-caption-text">Chaminda Vaas. (Photo by Santosh Harhare/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The trio of the pace bowling has every right to be in this list as they are the best bowlers for their country by some distance. The new ball attack of Vaas and Zaheer and Malinga as the first change bowler would rarely have given the batsmen a chance to play freely.
Chaminda Vaas, the left arm is the best bowler Sri Lanka have ever produced. He was currently the bowling coach of Sri Lankan Test team in the Test series against India. Vaas has played in humungous 322 ODIs and has scalped 400 wickets with his best being 8/19. Again he has made an impact whenever the two sides (India and Sri Lanka) have faced each other. Sri Lanka cricket need him badly now more than ever and he would do wonders if given an opportunity to mentor their current crop of bowlers.
<figure id="attachment_36615" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-36615" style="width: 594px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/10/Indian-player-Zaheer-Khan-GettyImages-153255474.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36615" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indian-player-Zaheer-Khan-GettyImages-153255474.jpg" alt="spells by Zaheer Khan" width="594" height="398" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-36615" class="wp-caption-text">Zaheer Khan. (Photo Source: Hindustan Times via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Zaheer Khan, the best bowler for India, was the nightmare for the left handed batsman. He dismissed Graeme Smith almost every time they faced. Very few must have forgotten the delivery he bowled to Upul Tharanga in the World Cup final in 2011. Tharanga had to play at that delivery which straightened a touch after pitching and went straight to first slip. The legendary fast bowler has picked 282 wickets in 50 over format with his best being 5/42.
<figure id="attachment_56009" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-56009" style="width: 632px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/02/Lasith-Malinga-of-Sri-Lanka-celebrates.png"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-56009" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Lasith-Malinga-of-Sri-Lanka-celebrates.png" alt="Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka celebrates" width="632" height="432" sizes="(max-width: 632px) 100vw, 632px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-56009" class="wp-caption-text">Lasith Malinga. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Lasith Malinga is still going great guns in this format and he is still the vital cog of their bowling attack. His toe crushing yorkers are bound to take wickets. India have played him so cautiously that even the final of 2011 world cup, Yuvraj played out a maiden over off him in 46th over of the chase. Malinga would surely like to get back to his best in the upcoming ODI series.
<h3>12th Man (Mahela Jayawardene)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_127821" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-127821" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Mahela-Jayawardene-World-Cup-2011.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-127821" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mahela-Jayawardene-World-Cup-2011.jpg" alt="Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka" width="600" height="453" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-127821" class="wp-caption-text">Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka. (Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Unfortunately, this stylish batsman couldn’t make it to the XI but he is the best player for Sri Lanka along with Sangakkara. He has shouldered the responsibility of the Sri Lankan middle order over the years and has done extremely well. A brilliant century against India in the mega finale at Wankhede was the best innings he would have ever played. He made an impact in almost all the bilateral series he played against India.
The aforementioned players are the best players India and Sri Lanka have ever produced. Few greats are still missing but we can only have 11 players in the team and this team would surely win most of the games against any opposition.

Few greats are still missing but we can only have 11 players in the team and this team would surely win most of the games against any opposition.

India vs Sri Lanka ODIs: All Time Combined Best XI

The best players have been selected on the basis of their performances and impact in series when only India and Sri Lanka have played.