India ahead on head-to-head, will Lanka turn things around?

India ahead on head-to-head, will Lanka turn things around? 63 international matches, that includes 49 ODIs (most between any nations), 9 tests and 5 T20Is since 2008, is all that defines the total number of times, India and Sri Lanka faced each other in the last 6 years.

Let us show you the most number of encounters between two teams since 2008

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These two teams, India and Sri Lanka are clearly the most familiar opponents and the Island Nation will have to worry a little as India have a 32-19 edge over them in the limited overs format. To add to it, India has never lost a finals in the World Championship under their captain, MS Dhoni. Making the matters great for India is their record since 2007 in the finals of tournaments involving 3 or more teams, they have a 8-4 record compared to their opponent’s 8-9.

However, Sri Lanka can take heart from the fact that they have won the recently concluded edition of Asia Cup at the same venue, last month but they have lost in the finals of 2 World Cups and 2 World T20s since 2007. Contrary to that, India have won the finals of the World T20 2007, World Cup 2011, before lifting the Champions Trophy in 2013.

In the World T20 2014, there is little to seperate between the two sides. India have not dropped a game so far, while Sri Lanka lost a game from the jaws of win against England, thanks to Alex Hales. The only difference between the two sides is that, while India have opted to chase in most of the games, it is Sri Lanka, who chose to put runs on the board more often. Sri Lanka are slightly ahead in terms of bowling average while India hold their heads high in batting average.

The tournament so far

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The spin attack of both the teams have been potent weapons for them throughout the tournament and it will be a battle of wits of the captain of both sides on how they use these weapons. Indian spin has claimed 24 wickets for them throughout the tournament in contrast to Sri Lanka’s 14.

Today it will also be the last match of the two legends of Sri Lanka, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumara Sangakkara, in T20Is and the team would like to give them a fitting farewell by winning the trophy.