India in Sri Lanka: Top Five Test Matches of All Time
India will be looking for their first Test series win away from home since 2011 when they take on Sri Lanka.
Team India is all set to take on Sri Lanka in a Three-Test series starting August 12 under the leadership of Virat Kohli. Sri Lanka has always been a formidable Test side at home but Indians have always given them a tough fight in their backyard. Here are the top 5 Test battles between both the sides on Sri Lankan soil.(India in Sri Lanka: Full Coverage)
1. India's 5-wicket win over Sri Lanka in 3rd Test at Colombo in 2010
India was trailing 1-0 going into the 3rd and final Test at Colombo in 2010. Virender Sehwag's century in the 1st innings helped India take a slender 11-run lead. The Sri Lankans set India a challenging 257 and the then No. 1 side was reeling at 62 for 4. But VVS Laxman's unbeaten 103 helped the MS Dhoni led side level the series 1-1.(Ishant, Ashwin Shine in Draw)
2. Muttiah Muralitharan taking 800 Test wickets in his farewell Test at Galle in 2010
The 1st Test match at Galle in 2010 turned out to be a memorable one for Sri Lanka. Not only did Muttiah Muralitharan retire on a high winning the Test match for Sri Lanka but also created history. Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranvitana's tons helped Sri Lanka notch up a mammoth 520 in the 1st innings. The magical off-spinner then put up a show bagging 8 wickets and becoming the first bowler in the history of Test cricket to take 800 wickets. The islanders won the match by 10 wickets taking a crucial 1-0 lead in the series.(Why Rohit Sharma Needed)
3. India's victory over Sri Lanka after 8 years in 2nd Test at Kandy in 2001
India were one Test down in the three-match series. They chased down a down a challenging 264 as skippper Sourav Ganguly led from the front scoring an unbeaten 98. In the process he helped India register their 1st Test win in Sri Lanka after 8 years.(Kohli Looks Forward to a Tough Series)
4. Sri Lanka's 8-wicket win over India in 3rd Test at P Sara Oval Colombo in 2008
In 2008 Colombo Test, the famed Indian batting line-up came a complete cropper against mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis. His 8-wicket haul and Kumar Sangakkara's 144 helped Sri Lanka register an 8-wicket win over India to clinch the series 2-1.(Fresh Face in Sri Lanka Squad)
5. India's 170-run win over Sri Lanka in 2008 Galle Test
India were trailing 1-0 in the series going into the 2nd Test at Galle. Virender Sehwag's unbeaten 201 helped the visitors take a slender 37-run 1st innings lead. Eventually, India set Sri Lanka a target of 307 but Harbhajan Singh's 10-wicket haul helped them bundle out the hosts for 136. India won the Test match by 170 runs and levelled the series 1-1.(Murali Vijay Dispels Talks of 'Extra Pressure')