After a Test whitewash and a successful ODI series, it would be the perfect finale for the Lions to taste victory in the shortest format of the game.
However the hosts are yet to win a T20 game since last year and although this seems to be an ideal moment, they’ll be forced to grapple with the unpredictability of the Caribbean party. This will also be the first time the two teams will be playing T20s as a part of a bilateral series.
Since 2009
Sri Lanka and West Indies faced-off in a T20 for the first time during the ICC T20 World Cup in 2009 at Nottingham. Sanath Jayasuriya’s blistering 81 off 47 and TM Dilshan’s 74 off 47 took the Lions to 192/5 before West Indies fell short of 15 runs despite Dwayne Bravo’s quick fire 51.
West Indies’ only T20 win against Sri Lanka came during the T20 World Cup final in 2012 and is perhaps their most important victory in T20 history.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20 tally head to head –
- Played – 6
- Sri Lanka – 5
- West Indies – 1
Recap of the past Decade
Following group stage game at Nottingham, later, the two sides met again during the semifinal of the tournament which Sri Lanka won again, this time by 57 runs.
During the T20 World Cup in 2010, the game between the two sides ended in Sri Lanka’s favour. In the following T20 World Cup held in 2012, West Indies lost the group game to Sri Lanka at Pallekele by 9 wickets but later they went on to defeat the hosts by 36 runs and claim the T20 title for the first time in their history.
The last time these two sides played in a T20 was during the 2014 T20 World Cup semifinal at Dhaka. Sri Lankans avenged for their previous defeat by beating the Windies by 27 runs before clinching the ultimate prize in the final.
At the Lion’s Den
The only time Sri Lanka hosted West Indies in T20s was during the 2012 World Cup.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20 tally in Sri Lanka –
- Played – 2
- Sri Lanka – 1
- West Indies – 1
The Iconic RPS
It is somewhat of a concern, considering the iconic venue not having been the best hunting ground for the Lions in the shortest format despite being a stronghold in ODIs.
Sri Lanka’s T20 record at RPS –
- Played – 9
- Won – 1
- Lost – 8
Sri Lanka vs West Indies record at RPS –
- Played – 1
- Sri Lanka – 0
- West Indies – 1
Pallekele
The stadium in the hills has produced fine results for the Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka’s T20 record at Pallekele –
- Played – 9
- Won – 6
- Lost – 1
- Tied – 1
- No Result – 1
Sri Lanka vs West Indies T20 record at Pallekele –
- Played – 1
- Sri Lanka – 1
- West Indies – 0
Sri Lanka vs West Indies – Team Records
Highest team totals –
- SL – 195/3 (Bridgetown, 2010)
- WI – 177/5 (Nottingham, 2009)
Highest team totals (in Sri Lanka) –
- SL – 130/1 (Pallekele, 2012)
- WI – 137/6 (RPS, 2012)
Lowest team totals –
- SL – 101 (RPS, 2012)
- WI – 101 (The Oval, 2009)
Lowest team totals (in Sri Lanka) –
- SL – 101 (RPS, 2012)
- WI – 129/5 (Pallekele, 2012)
Sri Lanka vs West Indies – Batting Records
Top run scorers –
- SL – TM Dilshan – 226 runs (6 innings, Avg. 56.50)
- WI – DJ Bravo – 163 runs (6 innings, Avg. 27.16)
Top run scorers (in Sri Lanka) –
- SL – Mahela Jayawardene – 98 runs (2 innings, Avg. 98.0)
- WI – Marlon Samuels – 128 runs (2 innings, Avg. 64.0)
Mahela’s unbeaten 98 at Barbados remain as the highest individual score for a Sri Lankan against Windies in a T20 while the highest individual T20 score for a West Indian against the Sri Lankans came from Marlon Samuels’ willow. At a moment they looked completely outplayed, his valiant 78 off 56 balls during the T20 World Cup final in 2012 proved vital in their eventual triumph.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies – Bowling Records
Most wickets –
- SL – Ajantha Mendis – 13 wickets (5 innings)
- WI – Lendl Simmons – 4 wickets (1 inning)
Most wickets (in Sri Lanka)
- SL – Ajantha Mendis – 6 wickets (2 innings)
- WI – Sunil Narine – 3 wickets (2 innings)
Ajantha Mendis’ 4 for 12 at the RPS and Lendl Simmons’ 4 for 12 at Nottingham remains the best bowling efforts for both sides against each other in T20s.
