India has played six Tests at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, the venue of the second Test match which starts today.
India has played six Tests at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, the venue of the second Test match which starts today. India suffered innings defeats in each of their last two games and just managed to hold on to a draw in the very first outing at this venue. However, they won the second Test of the 1993-94 series by 235 runs. This win lead to India's solitary series win in Sri Lanka.
For nearly a decade now. India have boasted of a very strong batting line-up. Going by the aging batting stars, it could probably be their last chance to win at SSC.
Also, their best chance considering the Sri Lankan attack will not have Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga.
Below are details of the three SSC Tests which ended in results.u00a0
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1993
After a rain-ruined opening Test at Kandy, Mohammed Azharuddin's Indians scored 366 in the first innings at SSC thanks to a classy hundred by Vinod Kambli, who continued his rich vein of form.
Navjot Singh Sidhu was the next highest scorer with 82. Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar scored centuries in the second innings after Sri Lanka scored 254. A combined bowling performance saw India bowling out the hosts for 236 in their second innings to win their first ever Test in Sri Lanka.
2001
After Muttiah Muralitharan claimed eight wickets to bundle out India for 234, a phenomenal achievement by any spinner on a first-day pitch, Sri Lanka batted India out of the game. Four batsmen - Marvan Atapattu (108), Mahela Jayawardene (139), Hashan Tillekeratne (136 not out) and Thilan Samaraweera (103 not out) - scored hundreds in one awesome innings.
It was an unprecedented feat for Sri Lanka as they piled up 610 for six. With more than two days to go, India faced massive deficit of 376.
Once again Muralitharan was chief destroyer of the Indian innings lasting 299 runs and bagged the coveted man of the match award as he returned figures of 11 for 196.
2008
India's strongest batting line-up succumbed tamely twice as they went down to their heaviest defeat against Sri Lanka ufffd by an innings and 239 runs which also remains their third worst against all opponents.
It was all over in little more than three days' play - only 22 overs survived rain on the first day, and Sri Lanka won on the fourth evening. India's meek surrender was brought about by the spin duo of now-retired Muttiah Muralitharan and debutant Ajantha Mendis who between them claimed 19 wickets.
Man of the match Murali returned with 11 for 110 while Mendis marked his introduction to Test cricket with a haul of eight wickets for 132 runs as India were bundled out for 223 and 138.
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