The 3-match Test series between the hosts Sri Lanka and India will kick off with the first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The series will pave the way to stalwart Kumar Sangakkara’s farewell Test after an illustrious career that rendered a remarkable service for the game.
The potent rivalry between the two sides will be given extra zest and this time, in the longest format with India looking for a Test series win in Sri Lanka since 1993.
Since 1982
Few months after Sri Lanka played their first ever Test against England, the team traveled to Chennai to play against India for the first time. In the only Test played at Chidambaram, the minnows nearly edged on a close win against the strong Indian side. Batting first, the visitors made 346 which was spearheaded by Duleep Mendis’ 105. India’s reply saw them amassing 566/6 with skipper Sunil Gavaskar and Sandeep Patil scoring centuries before declaration. In the second innings, Duleep Mendis again scored another 105, taking Sri Lanka to 394. It remains as the highest identical score made in both innings of a Test match. The pursuit of a modest 175 looked seemingly difficult as the spirited Lankan bowlers strived to turn the tables. But however India managed to escape humiliation by surviving with 135/7 at close. Ashantha de Mel took 5 for 68.
So far the two teams have played 35 Tests with India winning 14 to Sri Lanka’s 6. 15 games have ended in a stalemate.
Recap of the past few years
The last time these two sides met in a Test series was five years ago in 2010. The first Test played in Galle was best remembered for being Murali’s swansong. As the spin wizard claimed 800 wickets, Sri Lanka won the Test by 10 wickets taking 1-0 lead in the series. The second Test at SSC ended in a draw while India squared the series by winning the final game at P.Sara by 5 wickets.
In the Lion’s Den
Sri Lanka has hosted India in Tests since 1985. The two teams have played 18 games with Sri Lanka wining 6 to India’s 4 while 8 have ended in a draw. When the two met for the first time in 1985, the historic 3 match series was won 1-0 by Sri Lanka which included their first ever win after being designated as a Test nation. The massive 149-run win over India at P.Sara was a lifelong dream of a zealous team that thrived for success after immense effort and hard work in 13 previous endeavours since 1982.
The first win for India on Sri Lankan soil came in 1993 when they beat Sri Lanka by 235 runs at the SSC. They went on to win the series 1-0 which was their first and so far only Test series win in Sri Lanka.
Galle – The Fortress
The picturesque venue at Galle is one of the strongholds of the Sri Lankan team. Out of the 25 matches played at the venue, Sri Lanka has won 13 while losing and drawing 6 games each. The first time the two sides played in Galle was in 2001 that ended in a 10 wicket win for the Lions. The two have met in Galle in 3 Tests with Sri Lanka winning 2 to India’s solitary success in 2008. Sri Lanka’s second win at Galle against India (in 2010) was also Murali’s farewell game and remains as the last win over India on home soil.
Nostalgia at the Oval
The P.Sara Oval in Colombo brings nostalgic memories for the Sri Lankans. The venue of their first ever Test match in 1982, also witnessed their first ever Test win in 1985 against India. It is no doubt that this time it will remembered for Sanga’s final appearance for the Lions. So far, Sri Lanka has played 17 games, winning 8 and losing 5. Sri Lanka and India has played 4 times at the Oval with the home team winning 2 (1985, 2008). India has won 1 (2010) as the remainder (1993) has ended without a result.
SSC since 1984
The Sinhalese Sports Club ground at Maitland Place has been a venue for Test cricket since 1984. Sri Lanka’s record at the SSC stands at 18 wins to 6 losses and 14 draws in 38 overall games. Both sides have met each other 7 times at the venue with Sri Lanka winning 2 (2001, 2008) to India’s 1 (1993). 4 have been resulted in a draw.
It will be a battle between two teams with fierce contention in the oldest format of the game. Without doubt, the series would be dotted with mixed feelings especially with the retirement of a personality regarded as one of the prodigies of the modern game. The home team, going through a transition will do their utmost to give the celebrated son a victorious farewell, a ‘goodbye’ the veteran rightly deserves after a valiant service.
