5 most memorable India-Sri Lanka ODIs in history
The rivalry between India and Sri Lanka dates back to the 1979 ODI World Cup when the latter got a surprising win against their Asian neighbours. It may not be as intense a rivalry as the one between India and Pakistan, the two sides have seen plenty of each other over the years.
In fact, India have played more ODIs against Sri Lanka than any other side in international cricket - 158 to be precise - and are all set to lock horns yet again, when they face off in the upcoming tri-series tournament titled Nidahas Trophy which has Bangladesh as the third side in the fray.
India and Sri Lanka have been involved in a number of exciting clashes over the years and here we take a look at the top five memorable contests between the two sides in the 50-over format.
#5 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of India at Jaipur, Oct 31, 2005
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 298/4; India 303/4 (46.1/50 overs)
Result: India won by six wickets (with 23 balls remaining)
The Sri Lankan side that visited India in the 2006/07 season had a torrid time right from the word go and the loss to Mumbai Cricket Association President's XI in their opening tour match served as a sign of things to come.
Sri Lanka headed into to the third ODI of the seven-match series at Jaipur on the back of losses in the first two ODIs and it was not going to get any better for the Marvan Atapattu-led side as they suffered at the hands of MS Dhoni's onslaught.
Kumar Sangakkara's unbeaten 138 had helped Sri Lanka to a very good total of 298 in their 50 overs but it proved far from enough in the end as Dhoni single-handedly took the match away from the opposition with his big-hitting.
Dhoni's 145-ball 183, which included ten sixes and 15 boundaries, is still the highest score by a wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs and he finished the game off with a six which would go on to become a habit of sorts in Dhoni's illustrious career which is far from finished.