India and Sri Lanka have shared a long-standing rivalry in Test cricket, yet when it comes to dominant performances, India has frequently secured one-sided victories. Throughout this rivalry, the Indian team has recorded several resounding wins, driven by a formidable batting lineup and a world-class spin attack. Of the 46 Test matches played between the two nations, India has won 22 and Sri Lanka seven, while 17 matches ended in a draw.
India's most spectacular results include massive victories by an innings margin. Let us take a look at India's six biggest Test wins against Sri Lanka by an innings margin.
1. India won by an innings and 239 runs – Nagpur, 2017
India's biggest victory by an innings margin against Sri Lanka came during the second Test of Sri Lanka's tour of India in November 2017. Playing at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, India delivered a magnificent all-round performance. After winning the toss, India posted a massive total of 610/6 (declared).
Virat Kohli led the batting charge with a brilliant 213, while Cheteshwar Pujara scored 143 and Murali Vijay scored 128. Rohit Sharma also remained unbeaten on 102. The Sri Lankan team could not match India's batting prowess; they were bowled out for 205 in the first innings and managed only 166 runs in the second. Consequently, India won the Test match by a massive margin of an innings and 239 runs. At the time, this victory equaled India's largest win by an innings margin in Test cricket.
2. India won by an innings and 222 runs – Mohali, 2022
India achieved its second-largest victory by an innings against Sri Lanka in the first Test of the 2022 series in Mohali. Batting first, India declared their innings at 574 for 8. Ravindra Jadeja delivered a magnificent performance, playing one of the finest Test innings of his career.
Jadeja remained unbeaten on 175, while Rishabh Pant scored a quick-fire 96 and Ravichandran Ashwin also made a crucial contribution. The Sri Lankan team struggled significantly against the Indian bowling attack; they were bowled out for 174 in their first innings and forced to follow on, eventually folding for 178 in their second innings. India secured a massive victory by an innings and 222 runs in just three days.
3. India won by an innings and 171 runs – Pallekele, 2017
During India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2017, India scored 487 runs in their only innings of the third Test match played at Pallekele. Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya played pivotal roles, with both batsmen scoring centuries. Sri Lanka's batting lineup crumbled against India's spin attack; they were bowled out for just 135 runs in the first innings and managed only 181 runs in the second. Consequently, India secured a resounding victory by an innings and 171 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav played key roles with the ball, while India's batting laid the foundation for this massive win.
4. India won by an innings and 119 runs – Lucknow, 1994
One of India's most magnificent performances against Sri Lanka took place during the 1993-94 series. In the first Test match played at the K.D. Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow, India scored 511 runs in their first innings. Sachin Tendulkar scored a memorable 142, while Navjot Sidhu also hit a century.
The Sri Lankan team was bowled out for 218 runs in their first innings. After being made to follow on, they could only manage 174 runs in their second innings. Consequently, India won the match by an innings and 119 runs. Anil Kumble was one of the star performers of the match; he claimed seven wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings. This victory gave India a strong start to the three-match Test series, which they eventually won 3-0.
5. India won by an innings and 106 runs – Nagpur, 1986
Even before the current era of Indian dominance in Test cricket, India had secured a victory by an innings against Sri Lanka. During Sri Lanka's tour of India in 1986-87, the second Test was played in Nagpur. India batted magnificently to post a score of 451/6 (declared).
The Sri Lankan team was bowled out for 204 runs in their first innings. Despite being made to follow on, they continued to struggle and were bowled out for 141 runs. India won the match by an innings and 106 runs. At the time, it was one of India's biggest Test victories against Sri Lanka.
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