With the Sri Lanka-India Test series already underway, the rivalry between these two neighbours carry significant milestones. Defeating India in 1985 at P. Sara Oval marked Sri Lanka’s first ever Test victory. In 1993 at Kandy both teams were involved in the shortest non abandoned Test match of all time and in 2010, Muttiah Muralitharan captured his 800th Test victim, the first and so far the only bowler to achieve that milestone. However, at the helm of records stands the highest ever team total in Test cricket history, a feat yet to be broken.
It was on 6th August 1997, exactly 20 years ago when Sri Lanka stockpiled 952 runs against India at the RPS.
For skipper Sachin Tendulkar and his men, it wasn’t the most pleasing draw as the evening of August 6th, 1997 saw them at the receiving end of a mammoth scoreline. The giant manual scoreboard displayed 952/6, above all, seemed confused as to what its next move would be if quadruple figures were reached.
Not in any way was it the most exciting Test, call it the most monotonous match in history but certainly the most grueling for the bowlers of any kind. Played on a track that was almost heaven for batsmen, it offered hardly anything for a bowler.
On the morning of 2nd August, Tendulkar won the toss and elected to take first lease of the wicket. They were on cruise mode, reaching 280/3 at the end of day’s play. Navjot Sidhu’s 111 was followed by Tendulkar and Azharuddin’s 221-run stand on the second day. When Tendulkar was removed for 143 by debutant Mahela Jayawardene off Murali’s spin, Azharuddin continued his assault until the spinner sent him back for 126 with a return catch. India eventually declared at a stirring total of 537/8, their highest in Sri Lanka. It was seemingly smooth until the Lankans launched their ruthless reply.
The tourists carved early inroads as Nilesh Kulkarni dismissed Marvan Atapattu for 26 on his debut ball in Test cricket, leaving Sri Lanka 39/1 at the end of day 2. But the upper- hand was short lived as Roshan Mahanama joined the opener Sanath Jayasuriya to cut the mustard. They went after almost every bowler who posed a threat to them. Taking charge on day 3 in a brutal response at the Indian bowlers, both reached their centuries. On the fourth day, the duo continued their thumping, as the total reached 587/1 at close.
Sanath Jayasuriya reached his triple century; becoming the first ever Sri Lankan to do so while Mahanama scored his maiden double ton. The final day saw hundreds of Sri Lankan supporters gathering at the RPS to witness the record breaking partnership. The pair stockpiled 576 runs for the second wicket, breaking the previous record for the highest ever Test partnership made by Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones against Sri Lanka in 1990/91 (467 runs). They also became the first pair to bat two consecutive days of a Test match after Garry Sobers and Frank Worrell against England in 195
9/60 and also the first to bat throughout complete play (the game between England and West Indies was interrupted by rain).
Mahanama was finally trapped by Anil Kumble for 225 runs while Jayasuriya did not survive for long as Rajesh Chauhan’s bouncy off break resulted in a simple catch to Ganguly at silly point ending his hopes of beating Brian Lara’s record for the highest individual score. It was a breath of fresh air for the Indians who were happy to see the double dismissal after being wicketless for two entire days. Jayasuriya’s innings included 36 fours and 2 sixes as he received a standing ovation from the crowd on his return to the dressing room.
However the walloping resumed as Aravinda de Silva and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga added another 175 runs for the 4th wicket. The already exhausted bowlers were further traumatized when debutant Mahela Jayawardene’s 66 run cameo added insult to injury and Aravinda reached his ton. Another century stand took Sri Lanka to the highest ever Test total, beating a 59-year old record held by England against Australia (903/7).
Finally, the batting marathon reached 952/6 at close, ending not only a tiresome day for the Indians but also questioning the RPS track whether it is felicitous for Test cricket. Even the best bowler of their side Anil Kumble ended up with figures of 1 for 223. The extraordinary encounter produced 1489 runs with the fall of just 14 wickets, a strenuous Test for the visitors, heartbreak for the bowlers.
