India, Sri Lanka to play complete series after eight years

New Delhi: Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews is dealing with one of the lowest points in his career while Indian captain Virat Kohli seems to be in sublime touch before the start of India-Sri Lanka series.

Lankans have been thumped on their own soil by 11th ranked minnows Zimbabwe. The loss is hard to swallow for Sri Lanka skipper. On the other hand, Virat Kohli and boys are highly spirited after 3-1 win over Windies.

The coming India-Sri Lanka clash adds more importance to it as it is after eight long years when both will play complete series, comprising Tests, ODIs and T20.

It just happened once when both Asian teams clashed in a complete series. It was in 2009 when India and Sri Lanka played three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s on Indian soil in 2009.

Under the captaincy of shrewd Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India won the Test series 2-0, the ODI 3-1 and drew the T20 segment 1-1.

In particular, India played against Lankans in August 2015 where they won the Test series by 2-1. In 2012, India won the five-match ODI series by 4-1. Men in Blue also won a T20 series 1-0 against Sri Lanka in the same year. One must not forget India and Sri Lanka battle in the Champions Trophy contest where latter thumped Men in Blue by seven wickets.

In the coming tour of Sri Lanka, India will play three Tests, five ODIs and one T20I. The 43-day tour will start with a Test match in Galle from July 26. The second two Tests will be played at the SSC in Colombo and Kandy respectively.

The first ODI, to be played on August 20, will be hosted by Dambulla. While, the next two ODIs will be played in Kandy.

Schedule:

July 26: 1st Test at Galle

Aug 3: 2nd Test at Colombo

Aug 12: 3rd Test at Kandy

Aug 20: 1st ODI at Dambulla

Aug 24: 2nd ODI at Kandy

Aug 27: 3rd ODI at Kandy

Aug 31: 4th ODI at Colombo

Sept 3: 5th ODI at Colombo

Sept 6: T20 at Colombo