Sri Lanka made their ODI debut on June 7, 1975 with a game against West Indies at Old Trafford during the 1975 ODI World Cup. So far, they have featured in every single ODI World Cup edition. Until now, they have won all the major ODI tournaments. Sri Lanka made history when they won the 1996 ODI World Cup under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga.
Though Sri Lanka have never topped the team rankings but they have had immense success in ODI format. Apart from winning it, Sri Lanka ended as runner-up in 2007, 2011 World Cups. They also won the 2002 Champions Trophy. Adding to that, they are the second-best team in Asia winning six editions of Asia Cup. So let’s check about some of the amazing records that Sri Lanka holds in the ODI format.
ODI World Cup win: 1996
Champion Trophy win: 2002
Sri Lanka’s record in ODI Cricket (Team Records)
- Sri Lanka holds the record for the biggest win in terms of ball remaining in a 50-over match. They won against Zimbabwe with 274 balls to spare and chased down 39 runs in just 4.2 overs. The second such biggest win with 272 balls is also registered by Sri Lanka against Canada in 2003.
- Sri Lanka holds the record of the second-highest second inning total which came in a losing cause in December 2009 against India. Chasing the target of 415, Sri Lanka made 411/8 and lost by just three runs.
- The record for the most fours in an ODI inning belongs to Sri Lanka. They smashed 56 boundaries against Netherlands in July 2006 and made 443/9 in 50 overs.
- The record for most ODI catches in career belongs to former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene. He took a total of 218 catches in his career and is the only player with over 200 catches.
- The pair of Upal Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya holds the record for fourth-biggest opening stand of 286 runs against England in July 2006.
- Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga holds the record for the highest ninth wicket partnership of 132 runs, which they made against Australia in November 2010.
Sri Lanka’s Record in ODI Cricket (Players Records)
- Mahela Jayawardene (448), Sanath Jayasuriya (445) and Kumar Sangakkara (404) are among the top four most capped ODI players. These three are only behind Sachin Tendulkar (463).
- Sanatha Jayasuriya holds the record for most ODI Man of the Match (48). He is only behind Sachin (62). He has also won the second-most Player of the Series (11) after Sachin (15).
- Jayasuriya retired with the second longest ODI career with 21 years and 184 days. The longest belongs to Sachin of 22 years and 91 days.
- Jayasuriya is the only ODI cricketer with 13000-plus runs and 300-plus wickets in career. He scored 13430 runs and took 323 wickets,
- Sangakkara retired with 14234 runs in 404 ODIs and is the second-highest run scorer in ODI cricket. He also scored 93 fifties, which is the second most after Sachin (96).
- Sangakkara holds the record of four consecutive ODI centuries, which has been done only once.
- Thisara Perera holds the record of second-most runs scored in an over in ODI match. He smashed South Africa’s Robin Peterson for 35 runs (6W66646) in an over in 2013.
- Kumar Dharmasena holds the record of most ODI innings before first duck in an ODI career. He played 72 innings before his maiden ODI duck.
- Muthiah Muralidaran holds the record for most ODI wickets. He took 534 wickets in his career.
- Chaminda Vaas is the only bowler with 8-wicket haul in an ODI inning. He has taken the best ODI figure of 8/19 against Zimbabwe in December 2001.
- Lasith Malinga holds the record of most ODI hat-tricks in career. He took hat-trick each against South Africa, Kenya and Australia.
Sri Lanka ODI Records vs Other Teams
There was a time when Sri Lanka were considered as one of the top ODI teams in the world. The likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela, Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakratne Dilshan played in a single team. But as these legends retired the Sri Lankan team suffered some years of bad performances. Though they are doing well and getting to their best. Sri Lankan team shared a decent amount of success against all most every team.
| Opponent | Mts | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | % |
| Afghanistan | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 60.00 |
| Australia | 102 | 35 | 63 | 0 | 4 | 35.71 |
| Bangladesh | 51 | 40 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 81.63 |
| England | 78 | 36 | 38 | 1 | 3 | 48.66 |
| India | 165 | 57 | 96 | 1 | 11 | 37.33 |
| Ireland | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| New Zealand | 101 | 41 | 51 | 1 | 8 | 44.62 |
| Pakistan | 155 | 58 | 92 | 1 | 4 | 38.74 |
| South Africa | 80 | 33 | 45 | 1 | 1 | 42.44 |
| West Indies | 63 | 29 | 31 | 0 | 3 | 48.99 |
| Zimbabwe | 60 | 46 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 79.31 |