Reliving Sri Lanka's last 5 Test encounters at the SSC

In the hundreds of encounters encountered and millions of experiences experienced only a chosen few stay on, to linger forever. If pondered upon this thought seems strange, even amazing. Why do certain situations inspire more nostalgia than others?

Why does a particular individual, out of the many, transport us into a faraway land of fantasies? Why does a specific venue remain ever so special?

In the sporting arena, the magic contained in the courts of Wimbledon or of the Maracana; Wembley or the Rose Bowl remains unparalleled with a sense of déjà vu enveloping each game that is played in these historical stadiums. Furthermore, the MCG in Australia and the Lord’s in London; The Wanderer’s in Johannesburg alongside the Eden Gardens in Kolkata; The SSC in Colombo with the Sabina Park hold their own unique place amidst the cricket enthusiasts, with each Test match eagerly awaited and followed.

Histories are made and new ones are scripted. The performances of the former players are reminisced and every promising youngster is applauded. Perform in these historical stadiums and script your own legacy.

As the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo hosts the 2nd Test match between India and Sri Lanka, we relive the last five Test encounters of the home team here- some historical, some memorable and some disappointing.

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#1 Rangana Herath’s 13-wicket match haul, Sri Lanka vs Australia, 3rd Test, 2016

Herath's 13-wicket haul led Sri Lanka to a memorable whitewash of Australia in the 3-match series

The moment a nation had been waiting for. The Emerald Isle erupted as Nathan Lyon was caught plumb in front and Rangana Herath snatched up his 13th wicket of the match, guiding Sri Lanka to a historical white-wash against Australia.

Struggling at 26/5 in the first innings, Sri Lanka appeared in deep waters before the aggressive duo of Dinesh Chandimal and newcomer Dhananjaya de Silva stitched together a memorable partnership of 211 runs for the 6th wicket, with a blazing century each.

Chandimal’s 132 complemented de Silva’s 129 in a partnership that was defined by acute levels of patience and streaks of aggression as the hosts piled on 355.

Affected by a shock series loss, Australia made their intention clear of salvaging pride both in the series and in the sub-continent. Shaun Marsh’s 130 and captain Steve Smith’s 119 led Australia to 379, helping them garner a slight lead over their rivals, with Herath bundling out 6 batsmen.

With the match excellently poised, a number of questions started doing the rounds all over the cricketing fraternity. Will Sri Lanka, who had just a single Test match win over Australia since 1999 before the series started, be able to pile on a comprehensive whitewash? Or will the top-ranked Australia finally play to their potential and prevent them from succumbing to their 9th successive defeat in Asia?

When Sri Lanka finally declared at 347/8 on the morning of Day 5, thus setting Australia a target of 324 for victory, a dull draw loomed large despite David Warner’s blazing 94-ball 68. What followed in the next few hours was pure annihilation, with Australia losing nine wickets in 60 runs!

Herath beautifully turned the ball dumbfounding the opponents with his guile and left-arm spin, taking 7/64.

It was only Sri Lanka’s 4th whitewash in a Test series as Australia’s clueless haplessness in the sub-continent continued.

#2 An all-round performance by India, Sri Lanka vs India, 3rd Test, 2015

India scripted their first Test series win abroad under Virat Kohli after winning the 3rd and final Test match in 2015

With Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara retiring after the 2nd Test match of the series, all focus had shifted towards paying suitable homage to the veteran during the series. However, with the series tied at an interesting 1-1, all the attention soon shifted back towards the cricketing action as the two teams locked horns for the decider in Colombo.

With India struggling at 14/2, Cheteshwar Pujara took the onus of driving his team towards safety, scoring an unbeaten 145 runs in the process. A 104-run stand for the 8th wicket between Amit Mishra and Pujara further cemented India’s stronghold as they managed 312 in the first innings.

Sri Lanka, in reply were unable to tolerate the pace of Ishant Sharma as they were bundled out for just 201, giving India a mammoth lead of 111, which was extended to 385, courtesy half centuries by Rohit Sharma and Ashwin in India’s second innings.

Despite captain Angelo Mathews trying to hold on, with a patient 110, ably supported by Kusal Perera, the target and the off-spin of Ashwin proved impossible to defeat. Ishant eventually ended the match with figures of 8/86, as India won the first overseas series under Kohli 2-1.

#3 A teary-eyed farewell to remember, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test, 2014

Mahela Jayawardene left the entire SSC teary-eyed as he bid farewell to Test cricket

It probably remains the worst moment in life. Despite knowing that the inevitable has to occur; that the loved ones have to depart, the moment it finally arrives is a moment of tough acceptance, followed by a serene nostalgia.

And so it happened during the 2nd Test match against Pakistan in 2014, when Mahela Jayawardene, one of Sri Lanka’s most revered gentleman finally decided to bid adieu to Test cricket, a format in which he had persevered and excelled in for well over a decade.

Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 320 guided by Upal Tharanga’s 92 after which Junaid Khan ripped through the batting order, snatching up 5/87.

Pakistan managed to take a slender lead in the first innings on the back of Sarfaraz Ahmed’s 103 and Ahmed Shehzad’s 58. But the efforts were overpowered by Rangana Herath’s astonishing spell in which he picked up 9/127- which was not only his best figures but also the best figures for any left-arm bowler in the history of the game.

However, it was meant to be Jayawardene’s moment and as Sri Lanka took the bat a second time in the match all eyes unanimously shifted towards him as he readied himself to bat the very last time in whites.

As Kaushal Silva fell with the score reading 79/2, the packed to capacity stadium accorded a thundering welcome to Jaya, as he is fondly called, hoping for an encore. The former skipper did not disappoint, pairing up with Sangakkara a last time to score 54, as the famed duo put on 105 runs for the third wicket.

By the time he was dismissed off the bowling of Saeed Ajmal, Sri Lanka was well on course for a formidable second innings total, which gave Pakistan a tricky 261 to chase.

Other than Sarfaraz’s 55, no Pakistani batsman could score more than 32 and as Herath once again ripped through the line-up with yet another 5-wicket haul; Sri Lanka rode their way to a memorable win after 5 years at the SSC, giving Jayawardene the perfect tribute.

#4 Rain steals Sri Lanka of a well-deserved win, Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 2nd Test, 2014

Despite an emphatic display of cricket rain prevented Sri Lanka from recording a victory

Unforeseen circumstances are either the cause of much frustration or provide one with an unlikely escape, away from the gloom that lay ahead.

Against South Africa in the 2nd Test match in 2014, it was the rain that proved to be Sri Lanka’s nemesis, robbing them off a well-deserved victory that would have prevented a series loss. Already 0-1 down in the 2-match Test series, the Lankans piled on 421 runs in the first innings, guided brilliantly by Jayawardene’s 165 and debutant Niroshan Dickwella’s 72, along with Angelo Mathews’ 63.

In reply, South Africa fell for 282, despite Hashim Amla’s 139, which was the first century by any South African captain on Sri Lankan soil. Herath picked up 4 wickets, with Dilruwan Perera picking up 5/69.

Sri Lankan strengthened their 139-run strong lead with a score of 229/8 declared, giving South Africa an improbable 368 for victory, with Morne Morkel bagging 4 wickets. In reply, the Proteas could never get going, falling tamely to Herath amidst rain interruptions.

With South Africa stuttering at 159/8 and facing an embarrassing defeat, a plunge of heavy showers ensured no further play was possible, causing a sense of annoyance all over the ground while the South African camp revelled in their miraculous series victory.

#5 A flutter leading to a tame draw, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2nd Test match, 2012

Despite a convincing performance, Pakistan were unable to inflict defeat upon the Lankans due to the constant rain interruptions in 2012

While the rain agonised Sri Lanka against South Africa in 2014, it helped them escape from a meek defeat. Winning the toss and electing to field, Sri Lanka soon rued their decision as Pakistan, guided by an enthralling 196 by Mohammad Hafeez and an equally impressive 157 by Azhar Ali, notched up 551/6 declared in their first innings.

Needing a mammoth effort to even come close to the target, Sri Lanka’s reply was led by Kumar Sangakkara’s 192 and Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 121.

But no other batsman in the batting order could cross the 50-mark and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 391, with a 5-wicket haul for Junaid Khan, an agonising 160 runs behind.

Even though Pakistan piled on quick-fire runs and declared at 100/2, giving Sri Lanka 261 runs to chase, constant rain interruptions ensured that the match ended in a tame draw with Sri Lanka mustering up 86 for the loss of two wickets.