5 longest Test knocks of all time 

#4 Sanath Jayasuriya vs India, Colombo (1997) – 799 minutes

Sanath Jayasuriya was the standout batsman in that Test match.

Before this 1997 Test series, Sri Lanka had won just one Test match (and series) against India. However, at the start of the first match of the 1997 Test series in Sri Lanka, India continued their dominance as they racked up 537 with Navjot Singh Sidhu, Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammed Azharuddin scoring tons.

India batted for 167.3 overs before declaring the innings. By the end of day two, they were clearly on top as Sri Lanka finished the day at 39/1. But little did they know that the hosts would fight hard and not lose another wicket for the next two days.

Sanath Jayasuriya, who opened the batting, joined hands with Roshan Mahanama and batted endlessly. Mahanama scored 225 and Jayasuriya registered a memorable 340 as he batted for a staggering 799 minutes. He struck 36 fours and 2 sixes in his 578-ball stay at the crease and frustrated the Indian bowlers to no end.

Mahanama and Jayasuriya shared a mammoth 576-run stand for the second wicket. The pair started batting on the third morning and were only dislodged on the fifth day.

Jayasuriya batted on four out of the five days. Sri Lanka racked up the highest ever Test total (952 in 271 overs) before they declared and the game ended in a draw.