For decades, cricket’s oldest rivalry has provided us with thrilling drama. From Viv Richards’ aggressive play to Sangakkara’s marathon innings, the rivalry has taught us everything from aggression to artistry.
ODIs are batsmen-friendly formats that reward tactical depth and subtle batting techniques. Charith Asalanka led Sri Lanka with 65, while Evin Lewis and Shai Hope provided strong attacking momentum. Extras were minimal thanks to disciplined bowling from Motie and Joseph of Windies. This match is well documented in the sri lanka national cricket team vs west indies cricket team match scorecard.
| # | Date | Format | Venue | Sri Lanka (SL) | West Indies (WI) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 Oct 2024 | T20I | Rangiri Dambulla Int’l, Dambulla | 179‑7 (20 ov) (Cricbuzz) | 180‑5 (19.1 ov) (ESPN Cricinfo) | WI won by 5 wickets (Cricbuzz) |
| 2 | 15 Oct 2024¹ | T20I | — | — | — | SL won (series) (details not fully retrieved) (MyKhel) |
| 3 | 17 Oct 2024¹ | T20I | — | — | — | SL won (series) (details not fully retrieved) (Wikipedia) |
| 4 | 26 Oct 2024 | ODI | Pallekele Int’l, Kandy | 156‑3 (23 ov) (Cricbuzz) | 196‑2 (22 ov) (Cricbuzz) | WI won by 8 wickets (DLS) (Cricbuzz) |
| 5 | Earlier ODI in same 2024 series² | ODI | Sri Lanka | (SL won) | (WI lost) | SL winning earlier match(es) in series (Cricbuzz) |
1975
From their initial meeting in ICC’s flagship competition, Sri Lanka and West Indies have provided thrilling contests. From thrilling Test matches to riveting one-day internationals, their rivalry has provided entertainment to millions of fans around the world, giving way to heroes rising, villains falling and lessons of sportsmanship aplenty.
Back then, both teams were still finding their feet; though Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) was pushing hard to gain full-member and Test status with the International Cricket Council (ICC). A fierce first Test match at St John’s was notable for Arjuna Ranatunga’s rearguard action at St John’s. But by the 1990s Sri Lanka had blossomed beautifully – defeating West Indies whitewash in home series while setting ODI records with Sanath Jayasuriya sparking off revolutionary events.
In the 2000s, Sri Lanka saw a new generation of stars emerge, such as wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara and batter Mahela Jayawardene; all-rounder TM Dilshan; fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath, plus fast bowlers Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath. Under this team’s direction they went on to win one World Cup (1996), share one Champions Trophy title (with India in 2002), and reach both the ODI and T20 world Cup on three separate occasions each. Unfortunately however after legends Sangakkara and Jayawardene retired, they found replacements who could match their level.
2001-02
No matter your level of cricket knowledge, watching Sri Lanka national cricket team take on West Indies cricket team offers thrilling action, unforgettable collapses, and lessons in sportsmanship. Both sides have produced legendary cricketers like Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva and Chaminda Vaas; as well as Muttiah Muralitharan on both sides.
Sri Lanka’s victory at the 1996 ODI World Cup catapulted them into international limelight and saw the emergence of multiple stars such as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene; their aggressive batting style even had an influence over limited-overs cricket worldwide.
Sri Lanka may not have enjoyed as much success since their ’96 triumph, but they still maintain a prominent place on the international cricket stage. Their current roster combines experienced veterans with emerging young stars who possess great promise – and can reach great heights. Dubbed The Lions by fans around the globe, Sri Lanka are the eighth full member of International Cricket Council with Test and ODI status administered by Sri Lanka Cricket Board; currently ranking 9th for Tests and 11th in ODI rankings respectively.
2003
Sri Lanka Cricket (or “the Lions”) represents their island nation on the international cricket circuit and is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), holding Test, One-Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I) status respectively. They are managed by Sri Lanka Cricket board.
Sri Lanka reached the finals of both 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cups, finishing runners-up on both occasions. This period witnessed the emergence of great players such as wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara, batsman Mahela Jayawardene and all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan. Additionally, spin bowler Rangana Herath came into his own as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest ever players and the highest wicket-taker across both ODIs and Tests respectively.
Sri Lanka Cricket Team logo features a golden lion with sword in his jaws holding onto a sword while its name is written below in bold blue with yellow stripes. This design appears on their practice jerseys and ODI and T20I kits while their caps feature the Sri Lankan flag and logo printed prominently across them; their helmets also share this deep shade of blue that also displays their team crest on them.
2010
From Manchester in 1975 to Dambulla’s sun-kissed excitement in 2024, Sri Lanka vs West Indies is a timeline of hardship and glory. This rivalry has provided edge-of-your-seat drama, unforgettable collapses and lessons in sportsmanship – whether for kids learning the game or grandparents recalling legendary moments.
As soon as they won the toss, Sri Lanka set about laying a strong foundation. Charith Asalanka’s 65 not out was worthy of captain’s knock status while Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka contributed quickly runs towards Sri Lanka’s total. But West Indies bowlers led by Joseph and Gudakesh Motie left Sri Lanka reeling.
Rain plagued days 1-3 of play but Sri Lanka managed to maintain their discipline as they chased a DLS-adjusted target of 195 in 23 overs, led by Hope. Hope’s fearless hitting and solid ground fielding forced Windies out of their comfort zone; when his 82-ball innings ended with four sixes off Motie the crowd erupted in celebration. It was an historic win that proved they could compete with one of the great teams of their time, one which had dominated throughout their history – it marked a milestone victory that proved they could compete on equal terms, while showing us all how serious opponents could be against each other in one-day international cricket!
2015
When the West Indies visit Sri Lanka, their tour is more than just cricket: Old Trafford or Dambulla becomes a festival to witness. From Viv Richards’s signature swagger and Brian Lara’s artistic brilliance – to Chris Gayle’s helicopter shots in ODIs and T20s; as well as Shai Hope’s 2024 chases – their legacy lives on through modern cricketers such as Chris Gayle or Shai Hope who continue their footsteps today.
This match, though interrupted by rain, provided a display of both sides’ unique styles of play. Brandon King and Shai Hope led their Windies innings with flair while Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie controlled extras effectively; Chase and Pooran contributed without shining as part of a balanced team performance.
As for Sri Lanka’s young guns, their pace and spin bowlers proved formidable. Dunith Wellalage impressed with an outstanding 3/9 in four overs from Dunith Wellalage to put West Indies on the backfoot while Milinda Siriwardana and Rangana Herath also impressed. Even with rain obliterating proceedings, this match captured everything that makes West Indies-Sri Lanka such an engaging rivalry – it is gripping, thrilling, never dull – nevermind what lies ahead – long may the epic clashes we cannot wait!
2018
For decades, the competition between two cricketing powers has provided thrilling drama and lessons in sportsmanship. No matter your taste – Sri Lankan tea plantations views or ancient temples; West Indies calypso rhythms or crack of willow on leather; this rivalry offers something for all tastes; heroes rise and fall along their journey, leaving some incredible characters in its wake.
Sri Lanka made an astonishing turnaround during the 1990s, emerging from underdog status into major cricket power with an epic World Cup win in 1996 – where their aggressive batting style helped herald in modern limited-overs cricket – and becoming one of the leading nations globally. Their victory brought global acclaim, cementing Sri Lanka’s place as a forceful adversary.
In the 2000s, a new generation of players emerged. Led by wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara and all-rounder Mahela Jayawardene; spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath; fast bowler Lasith Malinga and batsman Angelo Mathews, this squad dominated both ODIs (winning two World Cup titles and reaching semi-finals of other major events) and Test cricket alike until their performance tapered off a little in 2010. However, even then they still competed at this highest level level of competition.
2024
Cricket is more than a sport in Sri Lanka; it’s a way of life and passion that unites communities. This was evident when two of the world’s premier teams, India and Sri Lanka, met on October 13 in Dambulla for an intense yet entertaining contest that showcased explosive batting and deceptive bowling tactics.
West Indies openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis delivered an incredible powerplay performance against Sri Lanka, rendering its bowlers irrelevant. By the end of their first Powerplay period, they had amassed a 74-0 advantage for their side.
Sri Lanka’s spinners responded well. Wanindu Hasaranga removed Lewis in the seventh over by catching him off his own bowling, before Chamindu Wickramasinghe struck twice more, having Rovman Powell caught at deep midwicket and King dismissed off a skier off one over.
Sherfane Rutherford took up the task of keeping up the run chase for his team, and did it brilliantly. With 13 runs needed from 12 balls remaining and five wickets still in hand for victory by five wickets margin, Rutherford lofted one over mid-off to seal victory for Windies by an immense margin and win the match by five wickets!
