As India and Sri Lanka feature in yet another one-day series, beginning with the first ODI at Cuttack, here’s a look at important numbers related to one-day contest between two sides.
Overall results: Prior to the first ODI of the current series, India and Sri Lanka featured in 144 matches. Of these, India have won 78 and Sri Lanka have won 54. One game ended in a tie while 11 matches produced no results.
Highest team totals: The highest total by a side in India-Lanka clashes is 414 for 7 by India at Rajkot on December 15, 2009. The highest total by Sri Lanka against India was also in the same match! They made 411 for 8, losing by merely three runs.
Lowest team totals: The lowest team total in India-Lanka matches is also by India. They were dismissed for 54 at Sharjah on October 29, 2000. Sri Lanka’s lowest total is 96, made at Sharjah on April 8, 1984.
Most runs: Not surprisingly, Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs in India-Lanka matches. In 84 games, he amassed 3113 runs at an average of 44 with 8 eight hundreds and 17 fifties and a highest of 138. For Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya scored 2899 runs in 89 games while averaging 36.2 with seven hundreds and 14 fifties and a best of 189.
Highest individual scores: Sanath Jayasuriya’s 189 at Sharjah on December 29, 2000 is the highest individual score in India-Lanka matches. MS Dhoni is next on the list with his unbeaten 183 at Jaipur on October 31, 2005.
Highest averages: Indian skipper MS Dhoni has the best average in India-Lanka matches. In 57 games, he has averaged 61.3 with 2 hundreds and 16 fifties, scoring a total of 2086 runs. Surprisingly, Thilina Kandamby has the best average for Lanka. In 17 matches, he has averaged 40.5 with three fifties, scoring 486 runs.
Most hundreds: Tendulkarhas scored eight hundreds in 84 matches. Jayasuriya is just behind him, with seven hundreds in 89 games.
Most wickets: Spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan claimed most wickets in India-Lanka matches. In 63 matches, he picked up 74 wickets at an average of 32, with one five-wicket haul, and a best of 7 for 30. For India, Zaheer Khan has picked up 66 wickets in 48 games at an average of 32, with one five-for, and a best of 5 for 42.
Best bowling figures: Muralitharan’s 7 for 30 at Sharjah on October 27, 2000 is the best bowling analysis in India-Lanka matches. For India, Ashish Nehra’s 6 for 59 at Colobmo on August 9, 2005 is the best analysis.
Best bowling averages: India’s Ajit Agarkar has the best bowling average in India-Lanka matches. In 25 matches, he picked up 49 wickets while averaging merely 20.6. He had an economy rate of just under five, a strike rate of 24.7, with one five-wicket haul. Chaminda Vaas picked up 70 wickets for Lanka in 61 games, averaging 31.6, with one five-wicket haul, his best of 5/14.
--By A Cricket Analyst
