India in Sri Lanka: India Register Biggest Overseas Test Win

India have broken their 31-years old record by beating Sri Lanka by 304 runs. In 1986, India had defeated England at Leeds by 279 runs that was India’s highest margin victory in terms of runs.

India registered their biggest overseas victory against Sri Lanka at Galle International Club on Saturday. Team India, who have set a 551 runs target for the hosts with one and a half left in the match, won the first Test by record 304 runs with one day in hand. Indian spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have shared six wickets between them to bowl out Sri Lanka for 245.

In their way to record margin victory, India have broken their 31-years-old record by beating Sri Lanka by 304 runs.  In 1986, India had defeated England at Leeds by 279 runs that was India’s highest margin victory in terms of runs.

The turning party’s 304 runs victory has also broken India’s previous record margin victory in Sri Lanka. In 2015 at P. Sara Oval during India’s 2-1 series win visitors have defeated Sri Lanka by 278 runs to win the series after two decades in the island. Also read: India in Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli Credits Team For Special Win in Galle

In 1968, India have defeated a weak New Zealand team by 272 runs, which was India’s maiden overseas Test match victory, and that was also India’s highest margin victory in an away Test match.

Earlier, in the match, India batting first scored 600, curtsy to Shikhar Dhawan’s 190 and Cheteshwar Pujara’s 153. In reply, Sri Lanka bowled out for 291. However, instead of inviting Sri Lanka to follow on captain Kohli decided to pile up more runs on their first innings lead 309. In the second innings, Kohli ended his run drought with a classy hundred. After scoring the hundred he declared India’s innings on 240 for 3.

On Day four, after India declared their innings Sri Lanka commenced their chase, but Indian bowlers, especially spinner Jadeja and Ashwin bamboozled Sri Lankan top order and middle order. While Jadeja finished the match with six wickets Ashwin has taken four wickets. On the other hand, Indian pace bowlers Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami have taken one wicket each in the innings. Also read: India and Sri Lanka to Play Again Later This Year

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dilruwan finished the match as unbeaten while injured Asela Gunaratne and skipper Rangana Herath didn’t come to bat.