5 memorable India and Sri Lanka Encounters in Tests

#3 1st Test, India tour of Sri Lanka at Colombo, Jul 23-Jul 2008

Muttaih Muralitharan

This was one out of those seven occasions when Sri Lanka had humbled India in Tests. Batting first, Sri Lanka rode on four centuries from Malinda Warnapura (115), Mahela Jayawardene (136), Thilan Samaraweera (127) and Tilakaratne Dilshan (125) to declare their innings on 600/6.

The Lankan Spin duo of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan then outplayed the Indian batsmen as the shared nine wickets between them. India were eventually bowled-out for 226 runs and VVS Laxman (56) was the only batsman to go past the score of 50.

They were unable to avoid the follow-on. India began the second innings with the hopes of saving the Test match. It turned out to be futile once again as Mendis and Muralitharan ripped apart the Indian batting line-up, sharing 10 wickets between them this time. India were eventually bowled out for 138 runs as Sri Lanka won the match by a mammoth margin of an innings and 239 runs. Muttiah Muralitharan was deservedly adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his impressive match figures of 10/110.