On this day, 17th September: First cricket Test match between India and Sri Lanka - 1982

The India vs. Sri Lanka Test match played from September 17-21, 1982, in Colombo was an iconic moment for Sri Lanka as they made their Test debut on the world cricket stage. Here’s a more detailed look into that historic encounter:

Pre-Match Background:

• Sri Lanka had been granted Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1981, making them the eighth Test-playing nation.
• This match was the culmination of Sri Lanka’s efforts to gain international recognition, following decades of playing as a non-Test nation.

Match Summary:

• Venue: P. Sara Oval, Colombo
• Result: India won by an innings and 83 runs

India's Innings:

• India batted first and posted an imposing total of 566 for 6 declared.
• Sunil Gavaskar was the star of the innings, scoring a brilliant 155 runs.
• Other notable contributions came from Dilip Vengsarkar, who made 157 runs, and Gundappa Viswanath, who scored a valuable 107.
• This large score put tremendous pressure on Sri Lanka in their debut match.

Sri Lanka's First Innings:

• Sri Lanka struggled against a potent Indian bowling attack, managing only 218 runs in their first innings.
• The most notable performance from Sri Lanka came from Arjuna Ranatunga, who scored 54 runs. Ranatunga would go on to become one of Sri Lanka's greatest cricketing figures, later leading them to victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
• Kapil Dev and Dilip Doshi were instrumental for India, with Kapil Dev taking 4 wickets and Doshi grabbing 2.

Sri Lanka's Second Innings:

• Following on, Sri Lanka again found themselves in trouble, being bowled out for 187 runs.
• Kapil Dev was devastating with the ball in the second innings, picking up 5 wickets for 110 runs, ending with a match haul of 9 wickets.

Key Performers:

• Sunil Gavaskar: His century was crucial in setting up the massive Indian total and ensuring a commanding position in the match.
• Dilip Vengsarkar and Gundappa Viswanath also provided crucial centuries to pile on the runs.
• Kapil Dev: His all-round performance with the ball (9 wickets in the match) played a pivotal role in dismissing Sri Lanka cheaply in both innings.

Significance of the Match:

1. Sri Lanka's Test Debut: It marked the beginning of Sri Lanka’s journey in Test cricket. While they faced a tough debut, it was the start of their growth as a competitive international cricket team.
2. India’s Dominance: The match highlighted India's dominance in the subcontinent during this period, with senior players like Gavaskar, Vengsarkar, and Kapil Dev leading the way.
3. Sri Lankan Resilience: Though Sri Lanka lost by a large margin, the match saw future stars like Arjuna Ranatunga, who would later play a key role in Sri Lanka's rise in international cricket, including their 1996 World Cup win.

Aftermath:

• Despite this tough debut, Sri Lanka quickly improved and became a force in world cricket, producing legendary cricketers like Muttiah Muralitharan, Aravinda de Silva, and Sanath Jayasuriya.
• This first Test between India and Sri Lanka laid the foundation for a long-standing cricket rivalry between the two nations.