The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka begins on August 15th. The Indian team will take on Sri Lanka under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. Team India last played a Test series in Sri Lanka in 2017. The last Test series between the two teams was held in India in 2022. Before the start of the series, learn about the five most exciting Test matches played between India and Sri Lanka.

Ind vs SL Test: India-Sri Lanka Test series from August 15, know the 5 most exciting matches of both the teams

1.

Chennai Test, 1982: The first match and a nail-biting draw

Sri Lanka made its first Test tour of India in 1982.

Sri Lanka scored 346 runs in the first innings. In reply, India declared at 566 for 6, thanks to centuries from Sunil Gavaskar (155) and Sandeep Patil (114*). Sri Lanka scored 394 runs in the second innings, setting India a target of 174 runs. In the second innings, India was on the verge of defeat, losing 7 wickets for 135 runs. Sandeep Patil and Yashpal Sharma held on to the crease and drew the match.

2. Mumbai Test, 1997: Rain at Wankhede and the Ganguly-Sachin storm

At the Wankhede Stadium, India posted a mammoth first innings total of 512, thanks to centuries from Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar.

Sri Lanka scored 361 in their first innings. India set a target of 333 in the second innings. Sri Lanka were 166 for 7 in the second innings, but persistent rain prevented the match from continuing and the match ended in a draw.

3.

Kandy Test, 2001: Ganguly and Dravid’s match-winning innings

In the match played in Kandy, Sri Lanka scored 274 runs, thanks to a century from Mahela Jayawardene. In reply, India were bowled out for 221, thanks to Chaminda Vaas’s four-wicket haul. In the second innings, Sri Lanka set India a target of 264 runs on a spin-friendly pitch.

India achieved the target thanks to Sourav Ganguly’s unbeaten 98 and Rahul Dravid’s 75, securing a historic victory.

4. Colombo Test, 2010: Laxman turns saviour, series tied 1-1

In Colombo, Sri Lanka scored 425 runs in their first innings. Riding on Virender Sehwag’s century (109), India scored 436 runs to take an 11-run lead. After Sri Lanka’s second innings, India was set a target of 257 runs. Chasing the target, India lost 4 wickets for 62 runs. VVS Laxman then scored an unbeaten 103 runs to lead India to victory and level the series 1-1.

5. Galle Test, 2015: Chandimal and Herath counterattack

In the Galle Test, Sri Lanka collapsed for just 183 in their first innings. India took a strong lead, scoring 375, thanks to a century from Shikhar Dhawan (134). Sri Lanka also lost 5 wickets for 95 runs in the second innings, but Dinesh Chandimal played an aggressive innings of 162 runs to take Sri Lanka to 367. India were set a target of 175, but were bowled out for 112 by the lethal spin of Rangana Herath (8 wickets).

All the statistics, players’ runs, wickets and year details given in the article have been thoroughly checked:

• 1982 Chennai Test: First Indo-Lankan Test, drawn.
• 1997 Mumbai Test: Rain-affected, drawn.
• 2001 Kandy Test: India won by 7 wickets.
• 2010 Colombo Test: India won by 5 wickets (Laxman 103*).
• 2015 Galle Test: Sri Lanka won by 63 runs (Herath 7/48 2nd innings, 8 wickets in the match).