MEMORABLE TESTS
Ahead of the first Test starting in Galle, here is a look at some of the most memorable matches between India and Sri Lanka in the island nation
1ST TEST 2015
Venue: Galle; Result: Sri Lanka won by 63 runs Sri Lanka were dismissed for 183 with R Ashwin taking 6/46. Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli scored centuries to help India to 375. At 95/5, Sri Lanka were in trouble but Dinesh Chandimal (162*) anchored two big stands to set India a target of 175. An inspired Rangana Herath then ran through India lineup with 7/48 to set up a spectacular win.
3RD TEST 2010
Venue: P Sara Colombo; Result: India won by five wickets Sri Lanka scored 425 with Thilan Samaraweera hitting 137*. Virender Sehwag hit 109 while solid fifties from VVS Laxman (56) and Suresh Raina (61) gave India an 11-run lead. Chasing 257, India lost three quick wickets but Laxman, battling a spasm, revived the innings with Sachin Tendulkar (54) and Raina to help India square the series.
2ND TEST 2008
Venue: Galle; Result: India won by 170 runs Virender Sehwag‘s 201 helped India to 329. Harbhajan Singh picked up 6/102 to help India take a 37-run lead. Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag slammed fifties to set Sri Lanka a target of 307. Backed by Ishant Sharma’s 3/20, Harbhajan picked up 4/51 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 136 as India levelled the series with a thumping win.
2ND TEST 2001
Venue: Kandy; Result: India won by seven wickets Mahela Jayawardene‘s ton helped Sri Lanka reach 274. before dismissing India for 232. Venkatesh Prasad took 5/72 but Sri Lanka were rescued by Muttiah Muralitharan’s 67 off 65 balls. Set 264, Sourav Ganguly (98*) and Rahul Dravid (75) played great knocks on a weary pitch as India registered a famous win to level the series
2ND TEST 1985
Venue: P Sara Colombo; Result: Sri Lanka won by 149 runs Amal Silva hit a ton as Roy Dias chipped in with 95 to help Sri Lanka reach 385. The hosts got a 141-run lead before Aravinda de Silva’s 75, backed up by Dias’ second fifty, helped Sri Lanka set India a target of 348. Kapil Dev scored 75 but Ratnayake took 5/49 to dismiss India for 198 and register their first ever Test win.